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1 




Stories and 
Speeches of 




William O. Bradley 



with 

Biographical Sketch 

By M. H. Thatcher 



TRANSYLVANIA PRINTING COMPANY. 

PUBLISHERS 

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY. 

1916 






Copyright, 1916. 

— by— 

Tran.^ylvania Printing Company 
(Incorporated) 

Lexington, Kentucky. 




OFC-I 1916 

©GLA445904 



PUBLISHERS' PREFACE 



In publishing this volume of "Stories and Speeches" of Senator 
William O. Bradley, we desire to extend thanks to Hon. M. H. 
Thatcher, former Governor of the Canal Zone, and the intimate friend 
of the Senator, for the biographical sketch herewith included, as well 
as for his compilation of the speeches of Senator Bradley herewith 
published, and for suggesting their inclusion; also, for other very 
valuable work rendered in relation to this undertaking and in 
reading and revising the proofs. We also desire to extend thanks to 
Mr. Arthur B. Krock, of the Louisville Courier- Journal for valuable 
services rendered by him to Senator Bradley, shortly before the latter's 
death, in helping to put the stories in shape for publication. In these 
thanks the members of the Senator's family most earnestly join. 

The members of the Senator's family have felt some diffidence in 
permitting the publication of these stories for the reason that, with 
characteristic Bradley candor, the real names of the actors are 
called, and the stories are told without reservations; and there has 
been expressed the fear that the feelings of some of the relatives 
and descendants of some of those who figure in these portrayals might 
be wounded. We believe, however, that this will not be the case. Some 
of the ancestors and kinsmen of the chief officers of the publishing 
company are so named herein, but we know that Senator Bradley loved 
these men — and, in fact, loved all the sturdy Kentuckians about whom 
these stories and reminiscences cluster — and what is herein portrayed, 
though true to life, is portrayed in the spirit of love and humor, and 
never otherwise. Hence, we do not believe any umbrage can be taken 
on this score. Moreover, we believe that the frankness with which 
the stories are told will greatly add to their value. For the most part 
they refer to Kentucky's yesterday, when the weaknesses and dissipa- 
tions of men were more open than now, and when candor — always a 
Kentucky characteristic — went far to redeem those faults which grew 
up chiefly from the spirit of good fellowship. All this Senator Bradley 
knew and appreciated, and as he lived through that day as one of its 
strongest characters, these stories of his observation and experience 
became part and parcel of his life, and were ever retained in his 
wonderful memory. It was natural, therefore, that with his remark- 
able story-telling gifts, and with his recollection of all these humorous 
incidents, he should desire to record and preserve them. It had been 
his hope to see the collection in print during his life-time, but the 



IV The Publishers' Preface. 

constant exactions of public duty delayed the completion of the work, 
and the hope was denied him. The publication is now being made in 
accordance with his wishes. 

Confident that the collection of stories and speeches of so notable 
a man as William O. Bradley will be widely read and appreciated, and 
that it shall prove a unique, most valuable, and popular contribution to 
the literature of the day, and of the days to come, we submit same to 
the reading public. 

THE PUBLISHERS. 

Lexington, Kentucky, November, 1916. 



William O. Bradley 

O wondrous man of magic, golden tongue, 

Who, looking ever sunward, didst uprise 

And pierce the glory of our civic skies, — 
How shall the story of thy life be sung 
To keep thine honored name forever young? 

How shall we term that dauntless enterprise 

Which, in Mischance, finds Fortune's skilled disguise, 
And gains and holds the ladder's highest rung? 

No song thou need'st : thy deeds have wrought thy fame 
And launched it on its journey through the years; 

Death only raised and glorified thy name, — 
Thine youth eterne began amidst our tears. 

By gifts divine the heights thou didst ascend. 

And Time shall know and claim thee to the end. 

The writer has been asked to prepare a sketch of the life and 
labors of William O. Bradley, to be published with this volume of his 
stories and speeches. While deeply appreciative of this honor, and 
while the work is one of love, the writer is, nevertheless, very 
diffident in undertaking it. Senator Bradley was made up of such 
strong and unusual elements that only the pen of a Plutarch could do 
him justice. It goes without saying, however, that the poor, unaided 
boy who could mount to the high estate of eminent lawyer, orator, 
successful political leader. Governor and United States Senator, in the 
face of the heaviest and most adverse political odds, was no ordinary 
character. 

There is nothing more fascinating than the study of biography ; 
nothing more interesting than to upward trace the career of great- 
souled men and women who have struggled from the valleys to the 
summits. The great personages of history are the stars which up-light 
the night of the past ; and they serve the necessary purpose of guiding 
the present and future generations along the paths of worthy endeavor. 
Extinguish these lights, eliminate all history of these men and women, 
and the world would be immediately plunged into darkness and 
despair. Character has been variously defined, but there is certainly 
one element which enters into its composition which is its surest 
proof. It is the element of endurance ; it is strength, force ; and, 
having strength and force, it possesses the eternal quality. It is the 



VI Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. 

law of effort that those who, on this plane of struggle, strenuously 
strive for right or for wrong, shall live long after they have ceased 
to labor; and if their labors have been for the right they shall be 
loved and revered as long as the flower of gratitude blooms in the 
human heart. What man has done, man may do again. The noblest 
inspiration must come from the contemplation of the heroic deeds of 
our fellow beings ; and it is of the highest importance that the lives of 
those who have driven the chariots of progress be faithfully portrayed 
to the multitude to the end that the multitude may be informed and 
inspired. Each nation has its history, its heroes, and its historical 
characters. A few there are, like Shakespeare and Goethe and the 
prophets of old, who are universal in their influence. They were not 
of a single country, but were of all the race ; and because they spoke 
fundamentally to our human sympathy and need, by all are they 
understood. Then, there are others, like Washington and Lincoln, 
who though identified with great movements, national and local in 
their immediate scope, yet spoke and wrought mightily for the 
principles of liberty and justice, and pointed the way to those ultimate 
conditions of liberty and justice, which, in the course of ages, the race 
hopes to reach. These, too, with the unfolding of time, shall make 
their universal appeal. These, too, were, and are, the brothers of all 
mankind; and all mankind shall come to recognize them as such. 

The skill of the biographer depends on at least three essentials, 
viz. : First, a sufficient statement of details of the subject's life and 
labors to properly set forth his character and achievements ; second, 
the proper deduction from these facts and their just interpretation ; 
and, third, the ability to present all in such a way as to fix and hold 
the attention of the reader. 

The present sketch, however, is not anil^itious. Moreover, 
in this volume there is not room for an extended narrative. Only the 
more essential facts of Senator Bradley's life, together v.ith some 
general comment and deduction, can be given ; and these follovv'. 

William O'Connell Bradley was born in Garrard County, Ken- 
tucky, near Lancaster, on March 18, 1847, ^"^^ cl'^^^ ^" Washington, 
D. C, on May 23, 1914. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. His father 
was Robert M. Bradley, and his mother was Ellen (Totten) Bradley. 
The mother was a woman of fine intelligence and capacity. Under the 
general law of maternal transmission this could not have been other- 
wise ; for it seems to be pretty well conceded that weak fathers may 
sometimes have strong sons, but strong sons, rarely, if ever, are the 
children of weak mothers. But so far as strength of character and 
unusual intelligence were concerned, Senator Bradley was fortunate as 



Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. VII 

to both father and mother. The father was a man of great force, 
intellect, and gifts of speech ; and though altogether "self-made," was 
one of the strongest men Kentucky has produced. He was the son of 
Isaac Bradley, a sturdy character who had come to Kentucky from 
Virginia in the earlier days, and his wife, the mother of R. M. Bradley, 
was Miss Rachel Bretner, a Kentucky woman noted for her beauty. 
During the period of his practice, R. M. Bradley was considered the 
leading lawyer in matters of land title in the State of Kentucky. 
Though eminently successful as a lawyer he was a whole-souled, gen- 
erous man ; and, starting in life poor, and having a large family to 
support, he never accumulated fortune. Hence, young Bradley, the 
only son, received from his father no wealth, nor any of the aids 
which wealth can give ; but he received a richer legacy in the gifts of 
intellect and speech which descended to him. He was educated in the 
local schools, and never attended college. In fact, in all essential 
matters he was also a "self-made" man. When he was fourteen years 
of age, at the outbreak of the Civil War, fired with patriotic zeal, he 
left school and twice ran away from home, joining the Union Army 
each time ; but, on account of his extreme youthfulness, he was taken 
by his father from the Army and brought home. In 1861 he was a 
page in the Lower House of the Kentucky Legislature. Here, he was 
seized with the ambition for a public career. When only eighteen 
years of age, because of his unusual precocity, knowledge of the law, 
and forensic ability, a special Act of the Kentucky Legislature was 
passed, granting him license to practice law upon the condition that he 
be found competent by two circuit judges of the State; with the 
result that he was found thus competent, and was immediately 
licensed. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession, and 
straightway gained prominence as a lawyer ; and, vv^ithin a short time, 
he was, both in popular estimation and in fact, one of the leaders of 
the bar in Kentucky. In the course of his long practice he appeared 
in the State and Federal Courts of Kentucky, as well as in the Federal 
Courts of other States, and in the Supreme Court of the United States. 
In addition to William O. Bradley the children of the Bradley 
household were as follows : Mary E. Bradley, who married S. H. 
Newell ; Emily Frances Bradley, who died in infancy ; Almira Pierce 
Bradley, who married C. B. Bacheller ; Margaret Ellen Bradley, who 
married Dr. W. F. Scott ; Catherine Virginia Bradley, who married 
Colonel Thomas Z. Morrow (parents of Edwin P. Morrow) ; James 
Bradley, who died in infancy ; Maria Josephine Bradley, who was 
twice married, first to Captain F. M. Wolford, and next to Dr. Nelson 
Mays. 



VIII Biographical Sketch of William 0. Bradley. 

In 1867 Mr. Bradley married Miss Margaret Robertson Duncan, 
of Lancaster, Kentucky, and of this union two children were born, a 
son, George Robertson Bradley, who died about the age of twenty- 
four, and a daughter, Christine, now the wife of Dr. John G. South, of 
Frankfort, Kentucky. The wife and daughter survive the Senator 
and reside at Frankfort. In this connection, we might say, no father 
ever more completely idolized his children than did he, and the death 
of his son in the pride and vigor of young manhood with the prospect 
of distinction before him, was a severe blow for the father, from the 
sorrow of which he never fully recovered ; though, if that were 
possible, after the son's death, to the close of his own life, he lavished 
an even greater affection upon the daughter. 

In 1870 he was elected County Attorney of Garrard county, and 
was the Republican candidate for Congress for the district wherein 
Garrard county was located, in 1872 and 1876. The district was over- 
whelmingly Democratic, and he, of course, failed of election; but his 
races were noteworthy and attracted the attention of the, entire 
country. 

He was unanimously elected delegate from the State-at-large 
for Kentucky to seven Republican National Conventions, and was 
three times elected chairman of the Kentucky delegation in National 
conventions. He was also thrice elected a member of the Republican 
National Committee. At the famous Republican National Convention 
of 1880, he was one of the immortal three hundred and six who voted 
for General Grant for the Presidential nomination, and greatly distin- 
guished himself in seconding the nomination of Grant, delivering a 
speech that is unsurpassed in convention oratory. He was chosen by 
President Arthur to institute suits against the star-route fraud con- 
tractors, but declined the appointment. 

In 1884 he succeeded in defeating the motion to curtail Southern 
representation in Republican National Conventions. In 1887 he made 
the race as Republican candidate for Governor of Kentucky, and 
reduced the normal Democratic majority of 47,000 of the previous 
year to less than 17,000, his opponent being Gen. Simon Bolivar 
Buckner, the old Confederate "war horse." 

In 1888, at the Republican National Convention, he received 105 
votes for the Vice-Presidential nomination. In 1889 President Harri- 
son appointed him Minister to Korea, but he declined the honor. In 
1895 he was again the unanimous nominee of the Republican party for 
Governor, and after a remarkable campaign he was elected by a 
plurality of 8,912 votes ; and the entire Republican State ticket was 



Biographical Sketch of Williani O. Bradley. IX 

elected with him. This was the first time that Kentucky ever went 
RepubHcan. 

In 1896 he was indorsed for President by the Kentucky State 
RepubHcan Convention. 

In 1904 he seconded the nomination of Roosevelt for President, 
again making- a distinguished contribution to convention oratory. 

Four times prior to 1908 he was his party's nominee for United 
States Senator. In 1908 he was the unanimous nominee of his party 
for United States Senator, as determined by legislative caucus ; and, 
in February, 1908, after a memorable fight, he was elected Senator, 
although the General Assembly was Democratic on joint ballot by a 
majority of eight votes. 

After his election as Governor he received the degree of LL. D. 
from Kentucky University. 

In addition to his convention speeches already mentioned, he 
delivered addresses and orations on many notable occasions ; among 
them being the dedicatory address at the Kentucky Building at the 
Columbian Exposition (World's Fair) at Chicago, in 1893 ; the 
address at the unveiling and dedication of the Jefferson statue in 
Louisville in 1902; the address at the dedication of the Kentucky 
monument at Chickamauga Park in 1898; the address at the launching 
of the battleship "Kentucky" in 1898; and the oration at the dedica- 
tion of the new capitol building at Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1910. 

In his many campaigns in Kentucky, Senator Bradley came to 
know its people almost as well as he knew the people of his home 
county, Garrard. His political adversaries join in the statement that, 
on the stump, he Vv-as without a rival. He never forgot a name or face, 
nor any circumstance or transaction which signalized any meeting 
with any person, and this great faculty was of inestimable benefit to 
him, and served to increase his wonderful power with the people. He 
knew all by their first names, or nicknames, and thousands of the 
humblest voters in the most remote sections of the State felt that they 
knew him as intimately and as sympathetically as if he had been their 
closest and m.ost generous neighbor all their lives. He was 
affectionately known to thousands of his followers and admirers as 
"Billy O. B.," and throughout his life he wore a white Alpine hat, 
which came to be known far and wide as the "Bradley hat." Like the 
white plume of Navarre wherever it moved there was leadership and 
battle. 

Kentucky with its wealth of history, tradition and sentiment ; 
with its wonderful beauty of mountain, "Blue-grass" and "Pennyrile ;" 
with its fine, pure strains of blood throughout its borders — has always 



X Biographical Sketch of William 0. Bradley. 

been, and is today, a land of orators. They have glorified, and yet 
glorify, the pulpit, the bar, and the hustings, and this without regard 
to creed, section, or political party, and one of the greatest of all these 
was William O. Bradley. 

Not only was Senator Bradley an orator of unusual power, but he 
was, also, in the best sense of the term, a fighter. He seemed to love 
battle, and never hesitated to accept it when offered ; and in any 
cause he undertook was always on the aggressive, never on the 
defensive. Yet he was in no wise contentious. He believed this to be 
a world of struggle ; and while he did not seek conflict, he regarded a 
certain amount of it as necessarily attendant upon the efforts of any 
one who sought to accomplish anything; and he believed, moreover, 
that a certain amount of conflict, fairly waged, gave the temper and 
strength to character which nothing else could give. He believed 
that achievement was the great joy-giver. It was inevitable that some 
political enemies should be raised up against him ; but even these paid 
tribute to his remarkable powers of eloquence, to his political sagacity 
and leadership, to his splendid fighting qualities, to his unmatched 
loyalty to friends, to his love of State and Nation, and to his openness 
and candor. In this connection it may truly be said of him — in fact, 
he said this of himself — that he never turned his back on friend or foe, 
for he loved the one, and feared not the other. Yet, though he was a 
man of strong emotions, feeling most keenly any injustice done him, 
and was accounted a good "hater," he had the capacity for forgive- 
ness, and often surprised both friends and foes by forgiving those 
he believed had done him grave injury, and supporting them for office 
or appointment. In fact, he was too good a political general not to 
know that there were times when, to the success of a party or of a 
cause, these must be subordinated every personal consideration or 
sentiment. 

Now, while this is intended to be a nonpartisan sketch, it is indis- 
pensable that some fuller reference be made to Senator Bradley's 
political career, and to his relationship to the party of which he was so 
long the leader in his greatly beloved State. The greater portion of 
his life was passed in intense political activity. He loved the political 
game. He was a boy when the Civil War broke upon the country, and 
his youthful imagination was inspired by love of country ; and thus 
resulted his efforts to join the Union Army. During the stirring 
period of the war, Kentucky, as a border State, while loyal to the 
Union Government, nevertheless furnished thousands of soldiers to 
both armies. The State was torn with dissension and fratricidal strife. 
Young Bradley, keen of mind, precocious, restless, fearless, and 



Biographical Sketch of William 0. Bradley. XI 

ambitious, formed his own views upon the important issues, and it 
was but natural that, with his remarkable powers of speech and leader- 
ship, he should plunge headlong- into the political sea ; and that, in one 
way or another, he should remain there until the day of his death, 

A number of times during his long career, he forswore politics, 
but without avail. He as inevitably went back into the game as the 
duck goes into the water. With his gifts any other course was 
impossible. No one could take his place, and the call of friends and 
party — not to speak of the call of his own nature — was too strong 
for him to resist. 

For more than forty years he was on the firing line, fighting the 
battles of the Republican party, and was the party's chieftain during 
the most of this period. His leadership, which lasted until his death, 
for length and effectiveness, stands unrivalled in Kentucky since the 
days of Clay. No man, in fact, has ever had in the State so large and 
loyal a following as had he ; and it was made up, not only of the rank 
and file of his own party, but, as well, of thousands of others who held 
opposing political convictions. Though others of fine ability gave 
effective co-operation, the fact that Kentucky has several times 
elected Republican Governors and United States Senators is chiefly 
due to his splendid energy, eloquence, and leadership. He was 
the father of the Republican party in Kentucky; the party's most 
ardent champion, its most effective, most trusted, and best 
loved leader in the South. He bore aloft the party's banner during 
the dark days following the close of the Civil War, when to be a 
Republican in the South meant proscription and persecution. During 
his long period of leadership he fought the battles of the Republican 
party with dauntless zeal and courage, and with unrivalled skill. For 
more than a generation, in every im.portant campaign, his voice v/as 
lieard in behalf of its principles throughout the length and 
breadth of Kentucky ; and, also, in other States, for he was 
ever in demand. His speech and personality were always Vvorth 
thousands of votes to his cause. He was the party's master figure in 
State conventions of Kentucky throughout the period of his active 
political career, and he had the power to thrill and inspire them at will. 
Likewise, he was also a commanding power in the National Conven- 
tions of his party, and in them he was not only influential from the 
nation-wide standpoint, but was, moreover, the special and successful 
spokesman of the party in the South. Wherever he moved he raised 
up Republican majorities. It was given him to see his planting and 
sowing in the political field grow unto golden harvest. In Kentucky 
he sav/ his party, under his leadership, grow from an inconsequential 



XII Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. 

and despised minority to a powerful, effective political organization, 
winning battle after battle, and achieving triumph after triumph. 

As Governor of Kentucky he was a splendid executive. He gave 
to the State one of the best and most economical administrations it has 
ever known. He was sternly opposed to mob law, dealt with it firmly 
and skillfully, and his utterances on the subject are among the finest, 
most effective the country has known. His strong nature, powerful 
convictions, firm courage, wide experience, and thorough knowledge of 
human nature, splendidly fitted him for executive achievements. 

The negroes were his absolute and devoted friends. He never 
played the demagogue with them, but always spoke to them with 
perfect candor and helpfulness. He always had the courage to give 
the negro a square deal and to defend him in his legitimate rights 
whenever and however assailed. An example of this was his pardon, 
while Governor, of the Simpson county negro, Dinning, whose indict- 
ment grew out of his defense of his home from the attack of a white 
mob. The negroes never had a better friend than William O. Bradley, 
and this they fully understood and appreciated. No wonder it is that 
they worship his memory. 

As United States Senator he labored earnestly and effectively for 
his State and constituents ; and, more than this, he ever sought to 
advance the interests of our common country. While he was a 
partisan, in the sense that he earnestly believed that the domination 
of the principles of the Republican party was necessary for the pros- 
perity and progress of the Nation, he was first of all a patriot. None 
was more ready than he to cast aside all partisan considerations wher- 
ever and whenever the welfare of State or Nation so required. His 
patriotism was of the highest, most ardent character; and he loved his 
State with all the passionate devotion that the noblest son bears for the 
noblest mother. 

Reference has been made to his candor. No man more ardently 
hated hypocrisy and cant than did he. No one ever had to guess 
where he stood on any question. No man ever was clearer, or more 
courageous in his convictions. Physically, morally, and mentally his 
courage was of the highest character. He was absolutely unafraid. He 
was ever ready to express himself publicly or privately ; and his con- 
versation, in forcefulness, strong sense, and striking phraseology was 
truly Johnsonesquc. Had Boswell been his associate what a wonderful 
biography the world would have of him. He had faults to be sure — 
for he was intensely human — but they were born of his energy, quick 
sympathies, and ardor, and sprang not from malice or weakness. 
On a certain occasion several years ago, the writer said to him, "Sen- 



Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. XIII 

ator, I hope some day to write the story of your life" ; whereupon, he 
turned, and, looking the writer squarely in the eye in that intense and 
wonderful Bradley way, responded : "If you do, you must paint me as 
Cromwell wished to be painted, warts, and all," But in the light of 
his genius with what indistinctness do the "warts" appear. 

Senator Bradley was the prince of story-tellers. He had an 
inexhaustible stock which had come to him during the busy years of 
his life, both through experience and absorption, and in the marvelous 
quiver of his memory they were ever held ready for instant use. With 
true Lincolnesque aptness he always had a story to illustrate his point, 
and with voice and gesture he gave these stories life. When he 
grew to manhood, and during the fullest vigor of his career, 
story-telling was, perhaps, a greater art in Kentucky and in public life 
generally than it is today. When opportunity permitted he could sit 
for hours, telling in inimitable fashion, anecdote after anecdote, or 
relating incident after incident, taken from chapters of his busy life 
and observation, and he employed these stories with striking effect in 
his public speeches. 

This is an unusual collection of stories ; one of the most interest- 
ing and distinctly "human" collection ever published. They consti- 
tute but a portion of the inexhaustible stock which Senator Bradley 
held in store. They are of the Kentucky soil. The language quoted 
is sometimes a little blunt and picturesque, and is of undoubted Ken- 
tucky flavor. In the recital of these incidents and anecdotes the 
Senator has, in a purely unconscious way, sought to hold the "mirror 
up to nature," and has given us striking portrait-glimpses of some 
of those who have most prominently figured in the social and political 
life of the State. 

But the stories must necessarily lose much in the printing, and so 
must his speeches ; though the latter, because of the genius and eloquence 
which they possess, have within them the spirit of immortality. They 
shall live as long as oratory is regarded with favor among men ; they 
shall live as long as patriotism is revered. The speech seconding the 
nomination of Grant in 1880 is unsurpassed in convention oratory, and 
by many of the most competent critics it is regarded as being 
unrivalled. Great in thought, sentiment, and music of expression, its 
superb delivery increased its power more than can be told. The 
Chickam.auga address breathed the noblest spirit of patriotism and 
reconciliation. It was one of the first great utterances in the country 
indicating the true basis for a complete reconciliation between the 
North and South. In it he urged forgetfulness of the passions and 
prejudices of the Civil War, and love and reverence by all for the 



XIV Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. 

heroism and glory common to the participants on both sides of that 
awful conflict. It is a classic of patriotism, and should be in every 
history and child's reader in the nation. 

The sentence taken from his message as Governor, and appearing 
on the base of the Kentucky shaft at Chickamauga is, without doubt, 
the finest inscription appearing on any American battle monument, and 
is unsurpassed anywhere in the world. It is worthy of constant 
repetition and perpetual remembrance: 

"As we are united in life, and they united in death, let 
one monument perpetuate their deeds, and one people, 
forgetful of all asperities, forever hold in grateful remem- 
brance all the glories of that terrible conflict which made all 
men free and preserved every star in the Nation's flag." 

It was one of the nearest hopes of his heart to see the complete 
reconciliation of the North and South, and he sought in every way, and 
upon every occasion, to do all within his power to soften the bitterness 
resulting from the Civil War ; and his speeches constantly breathed 
this spirit. He lived to see this hope essentially realized. 

Another master-piece of oratory was the speech at the launching 
of the battleship "Kentucky." No finer, nor loftier tribute will ever be 
paid to his beloved Commonwealth than that paid by him on that 
occasion. And his speech dedicating the Kentucky building at the 
World's Fair is of the same high strain. 

Senator Bradley was selected as the orator of the day upon the 
formal dedication of the new capitol building at Frankfort on 
June 2nd, 1910, and this, too, was a splendid effort, epitomizing the 
history and the glory of Kentucky, and justly interpreting the spirit of 
its people and institutions. And, so it was, that whatever subject he 
touched he illuminated and glorified. He was "of imagination all 
compact," and had, in the largest measure, every attribute of the 
orator. At the same time his life had been cast along such practical 
lines, and he possessed such practical characteristics, that he was, 
also, a man of affairs. 

William O. Bradley was the prince of debaters. In the field of 
controversy his talents shown with unmatched brilliancy. It is to be 
doubted whether any Republican in the whole nation had as many 
joint debates as had he during his long political career, and he met 
every worthy adversary. His wide information and experience, his 
aggressive character, his knowledge of human nature, his common 
sense, his power of forceful, logical statement, his ready wit, his 
voice and manner — not to speak of his powers of eloquence — all con- 



Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. XV 

tributed to make him an unrivalled debater. He knew how to give 
and take, and he loved the rigor of the game. 

Some of the statements of Hon. Ollie M. James, senior Senator 
from Kentucky, in his beautiful and generous tribute at the Bradley 
Memorial Service in the United States Senate on June 24th, 1916, 
coming, as they did, from a political opponent, and from a man who, 
himself, is possessed of great gifts of eloquence and leadership, and 
who stands high in the councils of his party, and who, also, is 
thoroughly conversant with the history of Kentucky politics, — are 
well worth quoting in this, and related, connections : 

"He (referring to Senator Bradley) had more joint de- 
bates with Democrats in Kentucky than any other Republi- 
can that ever lived in our State. His party was proud of 
him, and always, with confidence, they gathered to hear 
him debate with any of the leading Democrats of the State, 
for they felt certain they had a champion worthy of any foe, 
and in this they were never disappointed. He lifted the Re- 
publican party in Kentucky, in almost hopeless minority, to 
victory in the State. As a lawyer, Senator Bradley ranked 
with the very first in the whole country. He was engaged in 
many of the great legal battles in our State. Before a jury, 
in advocacy of a cause, he was wonderfully magnetic and 
powerful." 

"In addresses upon various subjects he displayed 
great learning and brilliancy. His address dedicating the 
Kentucky monument on the Chicamauga battlefield in 1898 
will rank with the world's greatest orations." 

"Senator Bradley easily ranked as the South's greatest 
Republican. He numbered his friends among the men of 
all parties. In the discharge of his official duties he wil- 
lingly served all the people. He was non-partisan in his 
service to the people of Kentucky." 

"Death comes to us all, but it could not have touched a 
citizen of Kentucky that would have brought more sorrow 
and tears than when Senator Bradley was summoned to the 
Court of God. Senator Bradley was a stalwart Republican 
of the old school ; he was an orator with but few equals ; a 
great lawyer, a matchless debater. He is greatly missed 
and long loved and remembered in thousands of Kentucky 
homes." 

:^ :>f ij: ii: :^ ^ i^: 

On this occasion Senator Bradley's successor. Senator Beck- 
ham, said : 

"Since coming to the Senate as the successor of Senator 
Bradley, I have seen that his popularity is well established, 



XVI Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. 

and that his death caused genuine sorrow here, as it did in 
Kentucky. An acquaintance of twenty years enabled me to 
appreciate his abihty as a leader of men. Through the 
charm and personality of his manner he achieved success. 

"Our political differences were wide and fundamental. 
But these did not interfere with friendly personal relations 
between us. He was a foe worthy of the best ; he knew how 
to deal blows, and he knew well how to receive them. 
Thousands of his friends and admirers in Kentucky join us 
today in honoring his memory." 

It may be well, also, to quote the following from the address of 
Senator Bradley's colleague and intimate friend, Senator Francis E. 
Warren, of Wyoming, delivered on the same occasion : 

"Perhaps the most accurate measure of the personality 
and character of a public man is found in the opinion of him 
held by his political opponents or adversaries. In the rough- 
and-tumble game of politics, in the no-quarter features of 
political warfare, especially as carried on in the so-called 
border States occupying the line which once separated the 
North from the South, the man who can go through a polit- 
ical campaign and retain the personal friendship of his politi- 
cal foes, is an unusual character. The man who can battle 
politically for a lifetime and go down to his grave beloved 
personally, alike by friend and foe, is a marvel. 

"Such a man was our former beloved colleague, William 
O'Connell Bradley, who died in this city at his post of duty 
on Saturday evening. May 23, 1914, and in whose memory we 
to-day devote this session of the United States Senate. 

"He was a noted political campaigner, and his services 
on the stump extended beyond the limits of his own State 
in many national campaigns. The late Senator Thomas H. 
Carter, of Montana, once said that he considered Senator 
Bradley the best campaign orator he ever heard. Loyalty to 
his friends was one of his predominating qualities, and he 
was one of the famous 306 delegates who voted for thirty- 
seven ballots for General U. S. Grant for a third term in 
1880. 

"In our personal association with Senator Bradley 
during the five years and two months he was with us 
in this body, we, who served with him, recall the predominat- 
ing traits of his character, adherence to principle, loyalty to 
friends, generous and genial treatment of his colleagues re- 
gardless of party. 

"For every employee of the Capitol, no matter how 
humble his position, he invariably had a cheering word of 
salutation and a friendly smile. 

"He was generous, not for the rewards of generosity, but 
because that was a fundamental trait of his being. Failing 



Biographical Sketch of Wiliiam O. Bradley. XVII 

in one instance in getting a claim through Congress for a 
constituent, he paid the claim himself. 

"And so he lived his life — adamantine in devotion to 
what he considered the correct principles of government; 
gentle and yielding in his touch with humanity," 

Reference is herein made to Senator Bradley's strong and 
unwavering friendships ; and to the fact that the roster of his friends 
included those of all political affiliations. He was a strong man, and 
he attracted strong men. Hence, it was that men like Senator Jo. C. 
S. Blackburn and Col. W. C. P. Breckinridge, whom he had often met 
in debate, Col. Henry Watterson, and many other distinguished 
leaders of the Democratic party, were numbered among his warmest 
friends. There was nothing which he would not have gladly done to 
have personally served them; and there was nothing which any of 
them could have personally done for him that would not have been 
done with equal pleasure ; and, in fact, such pleasant reciprocal service 
often obtained between them. 

At the time of Senator Bradley's death Col. Watterson, 
America's most brilliant editor, and long the intimate friend of Sen- 
ator Bradley, paid to the latter, in the Courier-Journal of May 26, 
1914*, the following beatiful tribute: 

"William O'Connell Bradley was the most affectionate 
and kindliest of men in his familiar intercourse. He was 
sprung from a branch of the great line which gave Ireland 
its mightiest orator, and he possessed many of the character- 
istics of that extraordinary man. Certainly, in persuasive 
powers no Kentuckian of his time could approach him before 
an audience of Kentuckians. He had eloquence and humor, 
and common sense. That he became Governor and Senator 
— the two most coveted gifts the people have to bestow — in 
a State where his party was in a woful minority, attests his 
genius and resources as a party leader. He lived through 
trying times and shone undimmed to the last. The Courier- 
Journal, which entertains for his talents admiration, and for 
his personality hearty good will, tenders his family the as- 
surance of its profound sympathy and sorrow." 

The writer has been unable to find any record bearing upon Col. 
Watterson's suggestion of kinship between William O'Connell Brad- 
ley and Daniel O'Connell; but Col. Watterson based his statement 
upon the fact that Senator Bradley once told him that his, Bradley's, 
grandfather, was a cousin of the illustrious Irish patriot. 

Any sketch of the life of Senator Bradley would be incomplete if 
it failed to make reference to his famous debate with General P. Wat. 
Hardin at the old Auditorium in Louisville, on the evening of Sep- 
tember 19, 1895. when the former was the Republican nominee for 



XVIII Biographical Sketch of William 0. Bradley. 

Governor, and the latter, a skilled debater, popular leader, and 
splendid gentleman, was the Democratic nominee. General Hardin 
had the disadvantage of being avowedly for "free silver," that 
issue being then acute, and a substantial element of his party being 
radically opposed to "i6 to i ;" whereas, the platform on which he had 
been nominated declared for "sound money." Bradley was nominated 
on a "sound money" platform, and declared himself as being in 
thorough accord therewith. The campaign, which, because of the 
issues involved, and the character and ability of the leaders engaged 
in it, becanie historic, was inaugurated by this debate. Hardin 
opened, Bradley replied, and Hardin closed. Bradley, in his reply, 
with telling effect, made use of the irreconcilable difference on this 
important question between his opponent's personal attitude and the 
platform on which his opponent stood ; and he brought into full play 
all of his splendid powers of skill and eloquence. The prepared 
speeches of the two champions were printed in the newspapers at the 
time, but Bradley's was in large measure extemporaneous because of 
the issues raised by his opponent, and his printed speech, in 
no sense, is equal to the one actually delivered. Gen. Hardin made 
the suggestion of "carbetbagger" and "carpetbaggism" in referring 
to Bradley and his party ; and Bradley responded to this charge in the 
most povvcrful and effective manner. There is included with the 
"Speeches" in this volume a quotation from his reply in answer to this 
charge. 

It has always been claimed for Bradley that on this occasion he 
achieved a great oratorical triumph, and won by his speech the Gov- 
ernorship of Kentucky. To say the least, this speech started a great 
tide in favor of his ticket, which, with the skillful campaign that fol- 
lowed, both in speaking and in organization, culminated in the striking 
victory for that ticket at the polls in the November ensuing. 

It was often said of William O. Bradley that he never made a 
mistake while on his feet ; that is to say, he always said the right 
thing while speaking to an audience. This was eminently true of 
him. Naturally, he was a splendid impromptu speaker, and his 
thought was always unusually clear and rapid when he was "on his 
feet." In his stump speeches his wit and humor greatly re-inforced his 
logic and eloquence. He always had the power to raise his audiences 
to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. He had a splendid gift of 
repartee, and the fellow who "butted in" or "interrupted" was usually 
"squelched" for life. 

Of the more notable speeches of Senator Bradley in the United 
States Senate, we may mention those delivered on the tariff, Panama 



Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. XIX 

Canal tolls question, New Mexico and Arizona Statehood question, and 
his defense of Kentucky from aspersions cast upon her because of 
"night rider" troubles. His speech on the tolls question was pro- 
nounced by many Senators and publicists to be the ablest delivered in 
either House on either side of the subject. 

As a lawyer Senator Bradley was equally at home before court or 
jury. Before a jury he was well nigh invincible. No man could beat 
him before "twelve men in a box." He was, as a matter of course, 
counsel in many of the most important cases of the country, and 
practiced in both civil and criminal branches, and in both State and 
Federal courts, with equal skill and success. 

In business matters — both public and private — no man was more 
scrupulous than Senator Bradley. He was the slave of duty and 
abhorred debt and obligation. He conducted his business trans- 
actions in the most accurate m.anner, and always had them in 
hand. While he was generous with his money and his earnings were 
considerable, because of his professional ability, he did not amass a 
fortune, though he possessed at his death a comfortable estate. In his 
business undertakings he was prudent, and regarded material inde- 
pendence as a necessary prerequisite to useful public service. This 
feature of his life should bring home its lesson to those who are 
prone to regard genius and business capacity as being wholly incom- 
patible. 

An instance of his sterling honesty may be here related. After 
the expiration of his term as Governor, he was offered by one of the 
largest railroad organizations of the west, the position of chief coun- 
sel with offices on the west coast, and a salary of about $25,000 a year. 
He did not want to leave Kentucky, but he greatly needed the money, 
as the Governorship had brought him financial loss, and he v/ished 
to retrieve. However, it transpired, in the course of the negotiations 
that the railroad company would desire him, in addition to perform- 
ing the duties of counsel, to exercise, on occasion, his political in- 
fluence in matters affecting the company's interest ; whereupon, he 
denounced the suggestion, and turned down the offer of employment. 

Senator Bradley was a Christian believer, but not a religionist. 
When he was about fourteen years old, he was a member of the 
Baptist Church. Afterv/ards, as a young man, upon his marriage, he 
united with his wife's church, the Presbyterian. Throughout his life 
he was a student of the Bible. Like many other strong-willed men 
who fight their way upward, it may be said of him, that he had a 
religion of his own, broad and tolerant, influenced more or less by his 



XX Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. 

earlier religious associations, but largely born out of his own struggles, 
experiences, and meditations. 

Senator Bradley had a musical side in his make-up. He was 
self-trained in everything he did, and while he had no sort of musical 
education, he had a fine ear for melody, and in his younger days 
was skillful with the guitar, and sang in splendid voice. It was not often 
in later years that he could be induced to sing and play, but sometimes 
he did so; as, for instance, when he and that other rare genius, the 
"Apostle of Sunshine," Senator "Bob" Taylor, of Tennessee, were 
thrown together at Washington in the most intimate relationship. 
They were from sister States, served together in the Senate, possessed 
a great many characteristics and sentiments in common, and their 
friendship was most beautiful. They were bosom companions, and 
sometimes, when worn with Senatorial cares, and opportunity per- 
mitted, of evenings in Washington they would meet in some congenial 
place, and Taylor with his "fiddle," and Bradley with his guitar, with 
their old time songs, would make the welkin ring. These were rare 
occasions, and evoked a great deal of pleasant and interesting com- 
ment from the newspapers of the country. Thus, there was given a 
glimpse of the "human" side of these two wonderfully "human" men. 

Senator Bradley was a man of commanding and engaging per- 
sonalty. He was in the highest degree, magnetic. In form and 
feature he resembled his mother. He was stockily built, and, until 
affliction impaired his constitution, he possessed tremendous 
physical power. As a young man he was wonderfully fleet 
of foot, was unexcelled as a jumper and wrestler, and delighted 
in muscular activity. He was about five feet, eight inches in 
height, and in his later years weighed about 235 pounds. Until 
infirmity weakened him he was as light on his feet as a child. His head 
and face were truly classic, and, as models, would have delighted the 
skill of Phidias or Angelo, In fact, a modern sculptor of genius, 
Jerome Conner, of Washington, for whom Senator Bradley posed, 
has made a splendid bronze bust of the Senator, which today graces 
the rooms of the Kentucky Historical Society at Frankfort. For many 
years Senator Bradley wore full beard, which served to conceal, to 
some extent, his splendid features, and did him injustice. In later 
years he was clean shaven, and the clear-cut, cameo lines of his face 
marked him as a man of strength. His nose was aquiline and finely 
moulded ; his mouth firm and handsome ; his face full and strong ; 
and his head well set on a splendid bust. His eyes were dark hazel, 
and of unec^ualled steadiness and intensity. They glowed with intelli- 
gence, flashed with courage, and commanded and persuaded by their 



Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. XXI 

magnificence. Orbs of life they were, and orbs of beauty and 
strength. If the eyes are, indeed, the windows of the soul, then what 
a wonderful soul must his have been ! 

Not only did he have brains, will, sentiment, and unflagging^ 
industry, which are essentials in the make-up of an orator, but he also 
possessed that indispensable adjunct, a voice of wondrous volume and 
beauty. Where could another be found that had within it so much of 
rich depth and rounded music? A great flute-like voice it was, that 
would have charmed all hearers, though he were speaking in unknown 
tongues. Before great audiences and gatherings his tones rang out 
like those of a mellow bugle, carrying clear and true to the furthest 
corners of the largest auditorium or assemblage, and delighted the 
ear of the most remote listener. His speech was compact, forceful, 
logical, always smoothly flowing, touched with fire and sentiment, and 
cast in oratorical mold. He always made his point. Thought and 
tongue acted in perfect harmony, and never did he hesitate for a 
v/ord. He swept down the highways of speech as gracefully as a 
noble ship moves over the bosom of the deep. No wonder it was that 
at the close of his speech seconding Conkling's nomination of Grant at 
the Chicago Convention of 1880, Conkling embraced him and said, "In 
the North orators have to be made, but in the South they are born so." 
Truly, nature did much for him, and, truly, he added much to nature. 

His capacity for labor throughout his life was prodigious ; it 
could not have been excelled. Work to him was the atmosphere of 
existence. His mind acted with the utmost clearness and rapidity, 
and he toiled incessantly. As Governor, and as Senator, he was always 
at his post of duty, and the cares of the humblest man, woman, or 
child, were his own. No call too modest could be made upon him, 
and he literally yielded up his life in the service of his constituents. 
The people knew how responsive, sympathetic, and capable he was. 
and without limit they brought to him their burdens and desires, and 
without a thought of the care, responsibility, or labor involved he 
undertook to serve them. 

Until in his later years, when afiflictions came upon him, he had 
muscles of iron and nerves of steel. No one could endure more hard- 
ship in the matter of campaigning than could he in the days of his 
vigor. Day and night, from one end of Kentucky to the other, he 
would travel in every conceivable way, on passenger trains, freight 
trains, steam-boats, row-boats ; on horse-back, mule-back, and by any 
other means, to fill his speaking appointments, and he never seemed to 
tire. 



XXII Biographical Sketch of Williavi 0. Bradley. 

The greater portion of the Senator's life was spent in his beloved 
county of Garrard. He left his Garrard county home at Lancaster in 
December, 1895, and removed, with his family to the State Capital, 
Frankfort, and there resided during the four years of his incumbency 
as Governor. After the close of his term as Governor he removed to 
Louisville, and there entered actively upon the practice of law and was 
eminently successful. Louisville was thenceforth his home until his 
death. During his service as Senator he did not have much time for 
practice, and on December ist, 191 3, he entered into partership with 
Judge William G. Dearing and the writer, with offices in Louisville, 
under the firm name of Bradley, Thatcher & Dearing. He looked 
forward with great pleasure to the time when, at the close of his term, 
he should forever retire from politics and devote himself to the prac- 
tice of his greatly-loved profession. But this hope was never to be 
realized. 

There is, of course, a limit to human strength and endurance, 
however, splendid these may be; and so, after years of tireless 
endeavor and of useful service, physical afflictions grew upon the 
Senator which told on his splendid constitution. For years before his 
death he had been a sufferer from chronic ailments, though he had 
fought heroically against them, and by sheer force of will, had held 
up in mental vigor and activity to the last. Because of his failing 
health, in May, 1914, he determined not to be a candidate to succeed 
himself, it being necessary — because the close of his term was 
approaching — to make some announcement in the premises. This 
announcement was made to the press on May 14, 1914, and a feu- 
minutes afterward, in leaving his office in the Senate Office Building 
in Washington, and hastening to board a street car to go to his 
apartments, he sustained a heavy fall, breaking two of his fingers and 
receiving injuries about his head, and also, probably, internal injuries. 
However, he resolutely came back to his office for several days and 
undertook to meet his Senatorial obligations ; but the injuries sus- 
tained in the accident had evidently rendered acute his other troubles, 
and he was stricken down and forced to take to his bed. He never 
arose from it, and on the evening of May 23rd, 1914, in Washington, 
the end came. His attending physician announced the immediate 
cause of his death to be "uraemia." On May 26th. 1914, resolutions 
of sympathy were passed by both Houses of Congress, and both 
Houses out of respect to his memory thereupon adjourned. His 
remains were carried to his beloved Kentucky, and on May 26th were 
interred at Frankfort in the famous cemetery overlooking the Ken- 
tucky River. He is buried near the spot where Boone is said to have 



Biographical Sketch of William O. Bradley. XXIII 

Stood for the first time and viewed the wonderful sweep of the Ken- 
tucky River at the base of the cliffs below. Appropriate committees 
from the House and Senate made up of distinguished members, and 
the Senator's personal friends, accompanied the funeral car to Ken- 
tucky and were present at the grave. In accordance with his v»'ell- 
known wishes, the ceremonies which marked the funeral were of the 
simplest character. His family asked that there be no ostentation, and 
declined to allow his body to lie in State in the Capitol, although for 
four years, as chief executive of Kentucky, he had guided the State's 
destinies. At the grave there was gathered an assemblage which was 
declared to be larger than had ever before gathered in this historic 
cemetery, and it was made up of every class and variety, rich and poor, 
black and white, and of every political affiliation, all evincing the 
deepest sorrow, and each feeling the loss to be distinctly personal. 
Such was the hold that he had on all who knew him. And as the 
multitude turned away from the blossom-covered grave on that lovely 
May afternoon, with their hearts filled with sorrow, and their memories 
aflame, the speech which was on their lips, and which shall be spoken 
many a time for years to come, was, "When shall we see his like 
again?" And now, recalling his splendid abilities and wonderful 
personality, and briefly reviewing his effective service for the public 
weal, we know of no better way of concluding this narrative than to 
repeat that self-same speech, "When shall we see his like again?" 

M. H. THATCHER. 



Stories of William O. Bradley 

TOO MUCH LIGHT. 

John Kincaid was one of the old time Kentucky lawyers, who 
was esteemed by many as the leader of the bar. He was exceeding- 
ly poor and acquired an education and read law under great difficulties. 
He was gifted with a wonderful and unusually logical mind and, 
besides, was a most diligent student. 

One of his ablest arguments was delivered before Judge Bridges 
(who was his bitter personal enemy), at the conclusion of which the 
Judge quickly and snappishly decided against him. A member of the 
bar approached Kincaid, and, after having extravagantly compli- 
mented him, expressed great surprise at the judgment. Kincaid, in 
his usually quiet manner, said : 

"I threw so much legal light around his little head that it blinded 
him." 

A PERTINENT AND PERSONAL INQUIRY. 

Mr. Kincaid and Hon. Sim Anderson (who was a member of the 
Lower House of Congress), were engaged in discussing a legal ques- 
tion before the Judge when Anderson announced a legal proposition 
that astonished Kincaid ; whereupon the latter inquired in what book 
it could be found. Anderson replied by superciliously tapping the side 
of his head with his finger; whereat Kincaid arose and significantly 
asked : 

"Is that volume bound in sheep or calf?" 

AN AFFECTIONATE CANDIDATE. 

Judge F. T. Fox was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, and 
attained an enviable position as a lawyer, judge and politician. He was 
a genial man and very popular. In his younger days he was fastidious 
in dress and was regarded as unusually handsome. 

About this time he ran for County Attorney of his native county, 
which is in what is known as "the mountains" of the State. His 
opponent was an exceedingly plain man who thought it would be a 
popular move to dress even more plainly than usual in order to catch 
the votes of the poor people. 

At their first meeting Judge Fox appeared in spotless linen and a 
neatly fitting suit of broadcloth. His opponent twitted him about this, 
telling the crowd that Judge Fox was fond of fine dress and show, 



2 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

was an aristocrat, and if elected would spend his time in making a 
display rather than in looking- after the substantial interests of the 
county. He also intimated that the Judge thought himself better than 
the poor people and succeeded in establishing some prejudice in the 
minds of the audience. The Judge responded : 

"What young man is there present, who when he goes to church, 
and especially when he goes to see his sweetheart, does not dress up 
in his best clothes? And why does he thus attire himself? In the 
first instance he desires to show respect for the Lord and his people, 
and in the second to make himself attractive. If he did not respect 
good people and did not love his girl he would not care how he 
dressed. 

"Now, fellow citizens," said he, "I am going out to see you, I love 
you, and for this reason I desire to dress in the very best clothes I can 
obtain. I do this because I respect you and want your respect. 

"My opponent thinks any old dirty clothes are good enough for 
you, but when he goes to see his sweetheart or to church he dresses 
far more handsomely than I. 

"He has forgotten that 'cleanliness is next to godliness,' and 
presents himself in a garb which a working man would be ashamed to 
wear while laboring in the field. 

"He has no respect for you or himself and is doing this with the 
hope that he may arouse your prejudices against me and make a few 
votes. 

"He is actually too dirty to make a County Attorney. I dress this 
way because I love you, and I wish I could take each one of you in my 
arms and hug you." 

The Judge was elected by a large majority. 

A REPUTATION FOR IMPARTIALITY. 

Judge Fox announced, many years after this, his candidacy for 
Circuit Judge, and was canvassing in Russell county, when he was 
accosted by a desperate character who was then under indictment. 
This man told the Judge he would be glad to support him, and would 
do so if he would promise to acquit him. The Judge assured him he 
was his friend and would give him a perfectly fair trial. The desperado 
listened patiently to the Judge, and responded : 

"Any fool would do that ; I don't want a fair trial — I want to be 
acquitted, and I am your friend." 

"Well," said the Judge, "I reckon you had better not vote for me, 
for if I am elected the first thing I will do will be to hang some friend 
in order to establish a reputation for impartiality." 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 3 

NO PRIDE OF OPINION. 

After Judge Fox was elected, one of his first cases for trial in 
Garrard county involved the title of a little triangular tract of land 
containing about an acre. The parties were well-to-do, substantial 
farmers, but were very determined and were litigating with great 
bitterness. The Judge substantially instructed the jury to find for the 
plaintiff, but the jury, to the astonishment of all present, returned a 
verdict for the defendant. In passing on a motion for a new trial, a 
few days subsequently, Judge Fox said from the bench : 

"Gentlemen, I have been thinking seriously over this motion for 
sometime and I have concluded that the jury was right and I was 
wrong. The motion is overruled." 

"I SOCK HIM/' 

At the conclusion of the war, Richard M. Robinson, who was 
known as "Camp Dick," made an assignment. Among other claims 
against his estate was one for a large amount of cotton purchased 
within the Confederate lines. The matter came up for adjudication 
before Judge Fox. 

Judge Allan A. Burton, a very distinguished lawyer, represented 
the trustee and interposed a plea that the cotton was contraband and 
the contract against public policy. He produced a number of authori- 
ties and made a forcible argument, at the conclusion of which the 
Judge asked : 

"Did your client get the cotton?" to which Burton answered, 
"He did." 

"Was the cotton worth the amount claimed?" queried the Judge. 

"It was," said Burton. 

"Did your client pay for it?" asked the Judge. 

"He has not." 

"Well then," said the Judge, "I sock him for the amount of the 
claim." 

Burton appealed but the judgment v.^as affirmed. 

NOVEL JUDGMENT. 

Usually when his court was nearing the end Judge Fox became 
restless on account of his desire to return home and most gladly 
accepted any pretext which was furnished to continue a case. 

There was a case pending in equity in which Ben M. Burdett 
represented the plaintiff and Senator Bradley (then a young 
attorney), the defendant. The defendant was in possession and his 
attorney, fearing the judgment would go against his client if the case 



4 Stones of William O. Bradley. 

should be tried, was anxious to continue it. First for one, and then for 
another reason, the case had been passed at his instance. 

In the meanwhile he procured several newspapers and after care- 
fully folding them to a size corresponding with the papers in the case 
rolled them all up together, thus giving the bundle very considerable 
proportions. It was the last day of court when plaintiff's attorney 
arose and insisted upon a trial ; the defendant's attorney objected, but 
finally the Judge ordered that they proceed with the case. Thereupon, 
Bradley asked for the papers, which were handed him by the Clerk, 
and tossing the large bundle on the table, said : 

"All right, Mr. Burdett, read your pleadings." 

The weather was hot and as the Judge caught sight of the huge 
bundle, the perspiration broke out on his face, and he exclaimed : 

"Mr, Clerk, enter a judgment dismissing the petition in that case 
and grant an appeal ; the Court of Appeals has more time to investi- 
gate it than I have," 

NECESSITY FOR OCULAR DEMONSTRATION. 

On the trial of a case before Judge Fox, a witness was introduced 
by plaintiff and testified to a most unreasonable story. At its conclu- 
sion he turned to the Judge, and said : 

"Now, Judge, I would not believe this if I hadn't a seen it." 
"Neither would I," said the Judge. "Judgment for defendant." 

LOST ONE HALF HIS MEMORY. 

Judge Fox was fond of telling stories. One of his best was that 
of a man who told him that he had a neighbor who had lost one half 
of his memory. The Judge requested him to explain, and the gossip 
replied : 

"He remembers every debt that is owing to him, but has forgotten 
every debt that he owes." 

ADVANTAGES OF "LARNIN." 
Among other stories Judge Fox was fond of relating was an 
experience with an ignorant countryman who resided in his district. 

The Judge said that while traveling from D to S , he remained 

over night at the house of an old friend. The next morning he was 
accompanied by a citizen who had been summoned as a witness. The 
Judge got a late start, and was anxious to know whether the Com- 
monwealth's Attorney had preceded him. He informed his friend of 
his anxiety and asked him to notice if there were any fresh horse 



Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 5 

tracks in the road. After travelling for some distance his companion 
pointed out tracks to the Judge, who said : 

"Well, he has evidently passed me; these are fresh horse tracks 
made by his horse." 

They rode on for sometime, his companion seeming to be lost in 
thought. Finally he broke the silence : 

"Well, Jedge," said he, "I never knowed before the advantages of 
larnin'. You say them's boss tracks, and I reckon you're right, but 
to save my soul I never could have told whether them war boss tracks 
or mar tracks. But you know I'm ignorant and don't know nuthin'," 

GOOD LOGIC. 

In 1910, when Hon. John W. Langley was a candidate for Con- 
gress on the Republican ticket, in the Tenth Kentucky district, his 
wife, mounted upon a mule, travelled with him over the mountainous 
part of the district, and with her ready wit, handsome face and win- 
some ways won many a vote for her husband. 

After one of the meetings in Breathitt county, she was introduced 
to a prominent Democrat who, she insisted, should vote for Langley. 

"Why, madam, it is impossible, for I am a Democrat," said he. 

"Oh !" she replied, "so am I a Democrat, as good a one as you or 
any other person, but if I can afford to live with him all of the time, 
surely you can afford to vote for him." 

The gentleman was so much pleased with her wit that he agreed 
to vote as she requested. 

HARD ON THE COURT. 

Some years ago two lawyers became involved in an unseemly 
squabble in the Wayne county court, when one of them denounced 
the other as "the d — dest ass in existence." Thereupon the Judge ex- 
claimed excitedly : 

"Hold up, gentlemen, remember the presence of the court." 

THE BEST CHILD ON THE PLACE. 

Russell Dillon is the son of Captain W. R. Dillon, of London, 
Ky., who is the head of an extensive family. When Russell was quite 
a small boy and sleeping in the trundle bed, he tried repeatedly to 
make a complaint known to his mother, who on each occasion told 
him: 

"Lie still, you little rescal, I am trying to get the baby to sleep, 
and you keep him awake." 

Finally, thoroughly disgusted, he exclaimed: 



6 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

"All right, mother, all right! Just give all your time to that 
darned brat and let the fleas eat up the best child on the place !" 

NO CHANGE OF OPINION. 

L. N. Dembitz was a famous lawyer of Louisville, Kentucky. On 
the day President Garfield was shot, George M. Davie, another dis- 
tinguished member of the same bar, came into the law library and 
exclaimed in an excited tone to Mr. Dembitz : 

"President Garfield has been shot by an assassin!" 

Dembitz, believing that Davie was playing a prank, without 
raising his eyes from his book, said : 

"You are a fool." 

Davie responded : "I xAW pick you up and throw you out of the 
window." 

"All right," said Dembitz, "you may do that if you choose, but it 
will not change my opinion." 

"OLD NECESSITY." 

Senator Wood resided in Taylorsville. Speaking of the Attorney 
General of Kentucky, he called him "Old Necessity." Some one asked 
him what he meant, to which Wood replied : 

"He knows no law." 

IN THE SAME FIX. 

When Senator Bradley was a young lawyer in Lancaster, Ken- 
tucky, while crossing the public square on his way to the court room, 
with several law books under his arm, he met an old member of the 
bar, Colonel D — , who said to him in a jocular way : 

"Billy, you have more law under your arm than you have in 
your head." 

"So have you," retorted Bradley. 

"I don't see how that can be," said Colonel D — , "I have no 
law under my arm." 

"Neither have you any in your head," replied Bradley, and 
made good his retreat. 

RARE SELF POSSESSION. 

An awkward, gangling young man, during the delivery of a 
sermon at a country church, persisted in talking in a loud whisper 
to a girl who sat beside him, to the great annoyance of the preacher, 
who, at length, said : 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 7 

"Well, I will cease preaching until that young man has com- 
pleted his conversation." 

The young man, not the least disconcerted, continued his conver- 
sation for a short while, and then rising and making a bow, said 
to the preacher : 

"Now, preacher, you can precede; I jest wanted to git Jane to 
'low me to go home with her and she have said she would." 

EQUALLY ASHAMED. 

During the campaign for Governor in Kentucky in the year 1899, 
Senator Goebel, who was one of the candidates, went into the office 
of Governor Bradley (the two being on the best of terms, personally), 
to examine some of the official records. He remained for some time 
and, finally, when he arose to depart, said in a jocular way : 

"Governor, I am a little ashamed to have remained here so long, 
and hope you will not mention it as it might bring me into serious 
disrepute in my party." 

"Well," replied the Governor, "Senator, you remind me of a 
bashful boy who escorted an equally bashful girl home from church 
one night. Just as he started to leave the girl's residence, she said : 
'Now, John, don't you tell anybody that you beaued me home.' 'Never 
mind, Sal,' retorted the boy, 'you needn't be afeard of me sayin' 
notliin' 'bout it, for I'm just as 'shamed of it as you air.' " 

GARRARD COUNTY CELEBRITIES. 

Many great men have come from Garrard county, Kentucky. It is 
a small county, but has a wonderful record. Three of the most learned 
Chief Justices of the Kentucky Court of Appeals lived there. It 
has produced one United States Senator, three Governors, six Foreign 
Ministers, seven Congressmen, two Circuit Judges, three Common- 
wealth's Attorneys, two most successful and distinguished surgeons, 
two of the most learned and noted divines, a Brigadier General of the 
Civil War, a Commodore in the Navy, and a host of the ablest lawyers 
and most gifted orators in the country. Besides, the ladies of Garrard 
county by subscription sent Rev. Doctor Burchard, of "Rum, 
Romanism and Rebellion" fame, to college at Danville; and last, but 
not least, Garrard county is the birthplace of Mrs. Carrie Nation. 

DECLINED TO BE ANGELS. 

Among Garrard county's many celebrities was James Mason, 
commonly known as "Bully" Mason. At times he got in his cups, 
and on such occasions said many amusing things. In 1873 the cholera 



8 Stones of William 0. Bradley. 

visited the county seat, and many persons fell victims. At the tune 
of its appearance a Baptist Association was being held. In the midst 
of the devotional exercises some one rushed into the church and pro- 
claimed the fact that the cholera had broken out, and that a man had 
died but a few minutes before within less than a hundred yards of the 
church. The most intense excitement ensued, which in a few moments 
developed into a panic. The church was quickly emptied through 
the windows and doors, and the ministers, with more haste than 
dignity, shook the dust of the place from their feet. 

Some one informed Mason about the occurrence, whereuix)n he 
remarked : 

"Well, I was down there yesterday and heard them singing. 'I 
want to be an angel, and with the angels stand.' I had my doubts at 
the time whether they meant it." 

TRYING TO MAKE HIM A RADICAL. 

One morning in the spring time, Mason passed a box of cabbage 
plants in front of the store of a Republican friend. He inquired to 
whom the plants belonged. The good-natured answer came : 

"I don't know, but help yourself." 

At this time many charges concerning whiskey frauds were being 
made against the Republicans, and Mason, tilled with this idea, 
responded : 

"No, sir, I will take nothing that belongs to any man without his 

consent. You can't fool me. You are trying to make a d d 

Radical out of me." 

CARPET-BAGGERS. 

Mason was an intense Democrat who never forgot that the 
-d Radicals freed the nigger," and had an intense hatred for 



"carpet-baggers." During the prevalence of the cholera in Lancaster 
in 1873, a cloud of dragon flies blew into the town and settled down 
all over the place. Mason was under the influence of liquor, and 
seeing them as they came down, he rushed out of the house and laying 
out right and left upon them with his cane, shouted at the top of his 
voice : 

"Down with the d d 'carpet-baggers.' " 

HOW GOVERNOR BUCKNER LOST A VOTE. 

In the first campaign of Senator Bradley for Governor, when 
General Simon Bolivar Buckner, was his opponent, he was accom- 
panied over a large portion of the state by a newspaper man. Col. 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 9 

C . The Colonel was an insignificant looking man. He was 

quite small (about five feet, three inches in height), weighed not over 
120 pounds, and was badly marked with small pox. He was a brave, 
generous, intelligent fellow, but very homely. 

One day they were journeying along a mountain road running 
through Whitley and Knox counties. The Aveather was intensely hot, 
for in those days the state election occurred in August. When 12 
o'clock arrived they were not near any tavern or station, and were 
ravenously hungry. Coming upon a little boxed grocery on the 
side of the road, they observed a sign as follows : 

SIDER 5 SENCE A GLAS AND 

OTHER ETEBELS IN 

PERPORSHON. 

They drove up to the little platform, alighted, hitched their 
horses and went in. A typical mountaineer, tall, raw-boned and 
possessed of a countenance that indicated that he was "a mighty on- 
proper man to projec with," gave them a hearty reception and asked 
what they would have. 

Two small cans of oysters with accompaniments, among which 
were two glasses of delicious sweet cider, were soon disposed of. 
Meanwhile the host stood stolidly, with his hands in his p>ockets, 
suspiciously watching their every motion. 

When they had finished what was really a delightful repast. 
Senator Bradley asked the merchant what were his charges, and was 
surprised to hear him say, "only a quarter a-piece," Handing him a 
dollar, Senator Bradley ventured to remark that the host was taking 
a slow course to riches, and requested that he accept something nearer 
the true value of so good a meal. The man smiled good naturedly 

and put the money in his pocket. Senator Bradley and Col. C 

then turned to go out, when the latter said to him : 

"Stranger, allow me to introduce you to our next Governor, 
Colonel W. O. Bradley." 

A look of astonishment passed over the face of the mountaineer, 
which was by no means displeasing to Col. C . 

"Well," drawled the storekeeper, "I'm glad to see the Radicals 
have such a decent looking feller for a candidate. From what I've 
hearn of him I 'lowed to see a man with horns on his head." 

"Mister, you are a clever feller," he continued, turning to Senator 
Bradley, "an' I like you, but I'm for old Simon Bolivar Buckner. 
I'm a Dimmicrat and never scratched a ticket, an' Til have ter vote 
a^n' you." 



10 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

"All right," said Bradley, "we will not quarrel about that." 
Then suddenly — to have a little fun — Bradley said, bowing to- 

^Yard Col. C ; 

"Now, my good man, allow me to introduce you to my friend and 

competitor, General Buckner," 

Such a look of disappointment rarely passed over a man's coun- 
tenance as came over that of the mountaineer. He seemed to be 

struck speechless. He looked Col. C up and down, and finally, 

having recovered his voice, exclaimed, in a loud tone : 

"Well, I'll be durned. You don't tell me that is old Bolivar!" 

"Yes, sir," Bradley answered, "this is your candidate." 

"I'll be durned," retorted the man. "Mister, I'm the dingdcst best 
Dimmicrat in these mountains, and, as I told you, I never scratched a 
ticket, but when my party expects me to vote for a dinged varmint, 
it's a leetle too much, and if I don't give one Radical vote I hope 
never agin to hear the hawks holler." 

Col. C by this time was white with rage. Bradley put his 

hand on his shoulder, shook his head at him and hurried him into 
the surrey. But as they were preparing to move away the m.ountain- 
eer appeared in the doorway of his store and exclaimed : 

"An' you say that's old Bolivar?" 

"Yes," answered Bradley. 

The tall man drew a long breath, straightened himself to his 
full height, and said : . 

"Well, I'll be d d." 

There is no doubt he voted for Bradley if he did not discover 
the deception, 

"SHELEBRATIN' SHENATOR BECK'S BIRFDAY." 

In Lexington lived a remarkal^ly 1)rilliant lawyer, politician and 
writer, who was a close friend of the late Senator Beck, and whose 
wife held the Senator in high esteem. 

Shortly after his marriage he remained out at night until a late 
hour, and when he reached home was discovered by his wife to be in 
an advanced stage of intoxication. Naturally, she was both angered 
and mortified, and appealed to her spouse to know what on earth was 
the cause of his unfortunate condition. The first thought that flashed 
upon the reveler's mind was the great respect she entertained for 
Senator Beck, and that his only hope lay in taking advantage of it. 
In a maudlin sort of way he said: 

"We've been shelebratin' Shenator Beck's birfday." 



Stories of William O. Bradley. il 

To his intense relief, the frown quickly vanished from his wife's 
face, and she exclaimed : 

"Well, that being- the case, I will overlook it this time, for really 
so distinguished a gentleman is entitled to be honored." 

A few weeks afterward he returned home at even a later hour 
than at first, and, if possible, more intoxicated. The wife again ap- 
pealed to him to know v/hy he gave her such cruel treatment. He 
v/as in a confused condition of mind. Remembering her admiration' 
for Senator Beck, but totally oblivious to the fact that he had hitherto 
escaped her wrath by taking advantage of it, he did not answer until 
she had several times asked the question, v/hen, gathering all of his 
energy, he replied: 

"We've been shelebratin' Shenator Beck's birfday." 

The wife for a time was speechless. At length, gaining self 
control, she exclaimed : 

"Are you not ashamed to tell me that falsehood? It has not 
been a month since you gave that same excuse for your inebriety." 

It was now the turn of the husband to become speechless. What 
on earth to do he did not know. Finally, a bright idea struck him. 

"Now, my dear, don't be angry wis me. We found out we 
shelebrated the wrong day, and conshequently had to shelebrate 
over," 

His timely escape from a seemingly inextricable difficulty so 
greatly amused the good wife that she laughed heartily, and for the 
second time forgave him. 

THE DOTY BROTHERS. 

For many years there lived in Garrard county two brothers 
who were noted for kindness, honesty and eccentricities ; one, John, 
and the other, James Doty. The following will illustrate their pecu- 
liarities. 

INGENIOUS LIBRARY. 

Soon after James Doty commenced practicing law, he became 
convinced of the necessity of having some books, for, in tho-^e days, 
in the backwoods, a library, however small, was an advertis:;nient. 
Law books were costly, and he was not able to buy them, so Doty had 
bound some Patent Office reports with the names of leaditij kiw 
books endorsed on the back — such as : "Coke on Lyttleton ;" "Shep- 
ard's Touchstone" ; "Fearne on Remainders," &c., &c. 

He owned among other books the then popular novel, "Ten 
Thousand a Year." He had this rebound and marked, "Warren on 
Ejectment." With this valuable and pretentious library he soon con- 



12 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

vinced his clients that he was an exceedingly well read and ablci 
lawyer. 

SETHIEL A PENSIONER. 

The other brother, John Doty, instituted an action against the 
L. & N. R. R. Co. for damages for personal injury, the breaking of 
his buggy and crippling of his horse, upon which he had bestowed 
the name of Sethiel. With the precision for which he was noted, he 
testified as follows : 

"I had started from my home to the town of L . When I 

reached the brow of the hill, as the crossing was not far away, I 
halted underneath an umbrageous elm to listen for approaching trains. 
Having, I thought, carefully listened and failing to hear anything, I 
indicated to my faithful steed that he should proceed with com- 
mendable dispatch. There was a hill intervening between me and 
the railroad, and, as I was crossing the track, a train suddenly came 
upon me from around the turn. There was a crash and everything 
seemed to be dark. When I recovered consciousness, I was quietly 
lying about ten feet from the track taking a view of the rolling- 
clouds; the buggy was smashed to atoms; my faithful steed was 
standing upon three legs with the fourth broken, and from that day 
to this he has been a pensioner on my hands." 

The Jury gave him a verdict. 

WONDERFUL EXAGGERATOR. 

Years ago there lived in Casey county, General Frank Wolford. 
He had been a brave soldier during a portion of the Civil War on the 
Union side, but was discharged dishonorably from the service on 
account of his violent abuse of President Lincoln, and his declara- 
tion in a public speech that the war was a failure. Some years .ifter 
a resolution of Congress was passed removing the stain. After his 
discharge General Wolford became an active Democrat, and later 
was elected to Congress. He was a man of strong intellect and an 
exceedingly forceful speaker. However, when he deemed it necessary 
he did not hesitate to tell the most remarkable stories, and invariably 
had present some members of his command by whom he readily 
proved them to be true. In this way he drove Colonel Swope, General 
Fry and other Republican speakers out of his section. 

In the campaign of 1872, General Fry, who had also been a 
Union officer and who was exceedingly fond of General Wolford 
from the fact that they had served together during the Mexican and 
Civil Wars, was canvassing the 8th District for Grant. After 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 13 

he had completed his speech in the little town of Liberty, the Demo- 
crats yelled for Wolford to answer him, which he proceeded to do. 

The day after the debate, Senator Bradley, the Republican can- 
didate for Congress, met General Fry on his way to his home in 
Danville. Knowing that the General had other appointments in that 
section, he was naturally surprised, and asked him why he had 
abandoned his appointments. 

"Because," said the General, "if I go farther I will have to kill 
Frank Wolford, and I wish to avoid so terrible an act, among other 
reasons, because of my friendship for him and our close associations 
during the Mexican and Civil Wars. Yesterday, without even asking 
me for a division of time, he took notes during my speech, and when 
I was through, had himself called by the crowd to answer me. I 
had spoken of General Grant's kindness to the Confederate soldiers, 
and had also stated that the Republican party was as much opposed 
to putting negroes into schools with the whites as the Democrats. 
What do you suppose he said in reply? I was never so astonished 
in my life. He said that after General Lee had surrendered at Ap- 
pomattox Grant had hung him to an apple tree. I arose instantly 
and demanded to know whether he was serious or merely jesting. He 
responded: 'I was never more serious in my life, and you know it is 
true.' I instantly, and with some warmth, denounced the statement 
as false. With perfect coolness he responded: 'Fortunately, General, 
there are some Union soldiers here who were present at the time, 
and I now ask you boys, have I stated the truth?' Instantly several 
of the by-standers responded: 'Every word of it is true.* 

"I could scarcely believe my eyes and ears ; but what could I 
do save to sit still or kill him? He then said: 'The gentleman tells 
you that he and his party are opposed to putting negroes into the 
schools with white people. That is all very nice to say here, where 
he knows there is not a negro in the county. Less than a week ago 
he made a speech in Danville at a negro church where five hundred 
negroes were present, in which he declared that he and his party 
demanded that the negroes should have equal school facilities with 
the whites upon terms of social equality.' I sprang to my feet, and 
most vehemently denounced his statement as a lie. Again, with 
imperturbable coolness he said: 'Boys, you were there and heard 
him, did you not?' And immediately his well trained witnesses re- 
plied: 'Yes, we did and he knows it.' I picked up my hat and left, 
for I knew I would kill him if I remained, and I am now on my way 
home and will not make another speech in his part of the district." 



14 Stories of IVilliatH O. Bradley. 

THE TABLES TURNED. 

In the campaign of Senator Bradley for Governor in 1887, on 
Saturday preceding the election, when it was too late to contradict, 
General Wolford stated in a speech in Glasgow that Bradley (the 
Republican candidate) had not always been a Republican ; that during 
the war he was a Confederate guerilla, belonging to Champ Fergu- 
son's band, and that he (Wolford) had captured him, but owing to 
the fact that his brother had married Bradley's sister, had releised 
him. 

Bradley was greatly outraged by this slanderous statement, but 
could say nothing for the election came off the next Monday. How- 
ever, he bided his time until the next Congressional race, and went 
down in General Wolford's district to do what he could to defeat 
him for Congress. When he arose to make his first speech, the 
General entered the court room with saddle bags on his arm, and 
sat down licking out his tongue until it touched his nose, v/hich was 
his favorite pastime. Bradley, noticing General Wolford's presence, 
said: 

"Fellow citizens, I am glad that General Wolford is present as I 
desire to make some remarks personal to him. On Saturday before 
the election last year, when I was a candidate for Governor, the 
General stated that I was one of Champ Ferguson's guerillas, and 
that he captured me, but released me on account of family connec- 
tions. Now, gentlemen, it is not my purpose to dispute his word. 
You all know him, you know that he is the soul of truth. George 
Washington could not, and hence, did not lie. Therefore he is not 
entitled to much credit for telling the truth. But the General is a 
different man. He can lie, but as you all know he has so much 
reverence for the truth, that he scorns to do so." (The crowd, who 
knew the General's failing, smiled good naturedly.) 

"What I complain of is, he did not tell the whole truth, and 
you are all aware of the axiom that the suppression of truth is worse 
than telling a falsehood. It is all true that I was one of Ferguson's 
guerillas and that I was captured and released by the General. Up 
to that time the General was regarded as a great and exceedingly 
loyal soldier. I discovered that he could be purchased to betray his 
country ; so I went to President Davis and made the fact known to 
him, telling him that for one thousand dollars I could induce the 
General to denounce President Lincoln as a tryant and the war as a 
failure. He promptly furnished me the money, and I returned and 
had a full talk with the General. I found that he was perfectly will- 
ing to take the money. I promptly paid him, and in discharge of his 



Storus of William O. Bradley. 15 

contract, he did make the public speech as agreed, by reason of 
which he was disgracefully discharged from the service. Now, 
General, when you told part of the story, why did you not tell the 
whole truth?" 

The General slowly arose and passed out of the room, saying 
as he went : 

"That's the only man I ever saw who is a bigger liar than I am." 

THE "NIGGER" SETTLED IT. 

General Wolford was making a speech during the period 
when the bugaboo of "Nigger Equality," haunted the minds 
of Democrats, and was constantly exploited to drive the white people 
into the Democratic fold. He bitterly denounced the Republicans 
for favoring such equality and recounted an army experience to 
prove it, saying that Colonel Casey, of Ohio, ate at the same table 
with his negro cook. For this he severely condemned the Colonel, 
and as General Wolford was then in command of the Brigade to 
which Casey's regiment was attached, told the Colonel that he must 
sleep with the cook. 

"To this," said Wolford, "the Colonel demurred, but I told him 
he had it to do. Finally, the whole controversy was settled by the 
nigger who indignantly declared that under no state of case would 
he sleep with the Colonel." 

THE LEFT HANDED FIDDLER. 

Governor Robert P. Letcher was an old time politician, having 
been in the Lower House of Congress, Governor, and Minister to 
Mexico, always successful, until in his old days he was induced to 
run for Congress against John C. Breckinridge, then a rising young 
man, when he went down in defeat. He was an exceedingly witty, 
wily and resourceful man. In one of his races for Congress, while 
canvassing through the mountains of Kentucky, he and his competitor 
(who was a rich and aristocratic man), attended a barbecue. Governor 
Letcher discovered for the first time that his opponent was an expert 
fiddler, and that by his soul-stirring music he was rapidly capturing 
votes. This vexed him very much as he had no more music in him 
than a buzzsaw. What to do was a serious matter with him. Carefully 
noticing his antagonist he observed that he played left-handed. He 
immediately called to one side a very dangerous and ignorant man and 
told him he had something to say to him in confidence which he must 
never expose. 



i6 Stories of PViHiam O. Bradley. 

Said he: "That man is a rich, Bluegrass aristocrat. When he 
plays the fiddle down in the Bluegrass he plays right-handed, but 
when he comes here he thinks any thing- is good enough for the 
mountain people. He will not play with his right hand unless he is 
entertaining rich people whom he calls equals. Now, I want you 
to ask him to change hands and if he don't do it, I want you to make 
a public announcement of his insult." 

The burly mountaineer thanked the Governor for his kindness 
and immediately went to the opposing candidate and asked him to 
please play with his right rand. The candidate replied, that he could 
not ; that he was left-handed. The big fellow said : 

"You play with your right hand when you are with the 'ristycrats 
and you know it, but you think you are better than we'uns and that 
left-handed iiddlin' is good enough for us." 

This the candidate indignantly denied, but to no purpose as his 
interlocutor announced with an air of authority that he "knowed" 
what he said "was so," and had witnesses in the Bluegrass by whom 
it could be proven. The result was that the large crowd became 
sorely offended, replaced the candidate with a native fiddler, and 
refused to vote for him, all agreeing tliat Governor Letcher, w^ho 
"cut the pigeon wing" with them, was their "sort of a man." Th(^ 
circumstances spread far and wide in the district and assisted in 
Governor Letcher's truimphant election. 

WASTE OF LIGHTNING. 

Lieutenant Governor Bill Thorne, noted for his wit and geniality, 
was employed in a suit against the Western Union Telegraph Com- 
pany for damages. When the trial came on there was a great drouth 
prevailing, while the spring before there had been unprecedented 
floods. 

"Gentlemen of the jury," Thorne exclaimed, with flashing eyes, 

"this soulless corporation is meaner than h 1 itself. There is 

nothing it will not do. Not content Vv^ith grinding the people by 
exorbitant charges, not content with failing to deliver dispatches in- 
forming people of the approaching death of their loved ones, so that 
they might be able to see them for the last time, it has actually ap- 
propriated the lightning, which God intended for all, to its own use. 
From one end of the United States to the other, it has drawn down 
the lightning from the clouds in order to send dispatches to fill its 
already bloated pocket-book. There is a certain amount of light- 
ning necessary, as you all know, to purify the air and regulate the 
elements. Last spring they used so much lightning that everything 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 17 

was thrown out of gear and great floods swept over the land, de- 
vastating the crops and drowning thousands of good people. So 
much rain fell then that later there was none left to fall, and now 
you are weltering in heat, with a drouth that is parching and de- 
stroying your crops and drying up the water courses, so that there is 
not enough of water for man and beast. Their entire business should 
be broken up and every mother's son of them confined in the peniten- 
tiary. I sometimes wonder why the Lord does not strike them dead 
for thus interfering with his business and bringing desolation on the 
people." 

A good round verdict was the result of this impassioned appeal. 

"I BEG YOUR PARDON." 

While in office Lieutenant Governor Thorne, during the absence 
of the Governor, granted a pardon which caused great excitement 
and made him the target of a deluge of abuse by the newspapers. 
About the time the excitement was at its highest pitch, whilst Thorne 
was in a crowded court room, some one stepped on his foot and 
politely said: 

"I beg your pardon." 

The Governor turned on him instantly and replied : 

"I will not grant it — I granted one the other day and the infernal 
fools have not given me any peace since." 

MEANEST CLIENTS ON EARTH. 

Near the close of W. O. Bradley's term as Governor, Thorne, 
who had not then been elected Lieutenant Governor, came into the 
office and remarked : 

"Well Governor, your time is nearly out, and, although we differ 
politically, I want to say I am sorry to see you go. You have made 
a square Governor and have faithfully done your duty. It is true 
you would never pardon any of my clients, but I do not blame you, 

for no man ever had such a h 1 deserving, unshirted set of 

clients as I had." 

TOO PARTISAN TO "HOLLER." 

In the campaign of 1900, Thorne told the following story in a 
political speech : 

It was just after W. O. Bradley was elected Governor of Ken- 
tucky, and the Republicans in my county were holding a big ratifi- 
cation meeting. Brass bands, all kinds of floats and banners, and 
hundreds of men, women and boys paraded the streets. A young 



l8 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

girl claimed that while standing on her front porch, which was al- 
most covered with vines and foliage of different kinds, she was re- 
peatedly hugged and kissed by a young man she hardly knew. A 
warrant was sworn out for her assailant. He was arrested and it 
was my duty as Commonwealth's Attorney to prosecute him. John D. 
Carroll, now Judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, had been em- 
ployed to defend him. I soon finished my examination of the witness. 
and turned her over to Carroll for cross examination. 

"What night was this?" thundered Carroll. 

"Thursday night," answered the witness. 

"Thursday night, you say? What time of night?" 

"About eight o'clock." 

"That was about the time the parade was passing your house?" 

"Yes." 

"Did you ever cry out or scream?" 

"No, sir, I did not." 

"Will you tell this jury," asked Carroll with rising voice, "with 
the streets thronged with people, and this man hugging and kissing 
you against your will, as you claim, why you never uttered a single 
cry for help or assistance?" 

"Yes, sir. I will tell the jury, and everybody else, that you'll 
never ketch me hollerin' at no Republican gatherin'." 

REASONABLE EXPLANATION. 

Governor Thorne and Senator Bradley were close friends 
for years. Imagine, therefore, the surprise of Bradley when, 
in the gubernatorial campaign of 1907, he was informed that Thorne 
had recently made a speech at Lancaster, Kentucky, in which he had 
very caustically and undeservedly referred to him. Shortly after 
receiving this information Bradley met Thorne at Winchester an.d 
upbraided him severely for his conduct, saying to him that he 
didn't dare to hear any more professions of his friendship. 
Thorne seemed to be very much astounded and said : 
"Why, Bradley, I am astonished that you do not understand it! 
The Democrats sent me out to speak, and I was notified that it was ex- 
pected of me that I should attack you ; this I failed to do until I reached 
Lancaster, your birthplace, and there I did tell a lot of things concern- 
ing you which were not true. I knew I had to tell these things some 
where and I concluded to tell them in Lancaster where everybody 
knew you and consequently v/ould know that the statements were 
not true. So, you see, old man, I was doing my level best to take 
care of you." 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 19 

CONTEMPT FOR THE POOR. 

Judge John M. Elliott was one of Kentucky's foremost politi- 
cians, was elected to Congress, and, later in life, to the Circuit and 
Appellate benches. He was blessed with a splendid native intellect ; 
had no superior in electioneering; was loved and admired almost 
universally, and was possessed of the highest sense of honor, and the 
most exquisite vein of humor. 

Along in the fifties he made his first race for Congress against 
Colonel Dunlap, a gifted and polished man of splendid appearance, 
who was always faultlessly dressed. There was at that time about 
fifteen hundred Whig majority in the district. The territory was 
nearly all mountainous and Elliott lived in that section. He came 
down to the home town of Colonel Dunlap which was situated in 
one of the two Bluegrass counties of the district, in order to open 
the canvass. Dunlap, handsome as a picture, and dressed in a faultless 
suit of broadcloth presented a marked contrast to Elliott, who wore 
a bobtailed luster coat and a pair of nankeen trousers, which pre- 
sented the appearance of having been cut for high water, as they 
only came within about two inches of the tops of his shoes. Elliott's 
friends were sorely disgusted v/ith his appearance and insisted on 
giving him a suit of clothes. This he indignantly declined, saying: 

"What is good enough for my people is good enough for any- 
body." 

Imagine the triumphant feelings of Dunlap's friends and the 
consternation of Elliott's followers when the two men appeared on 
the stand. Dunlap led off in a beautiful speech, his winning per- 
sonality never having been so strikingly manifested before. After 
he concluded, he sat down amidst the wild huzzas of his friends. 

Elliott then arose, and despite his garb, soon convinced the 
audience that he was by no means an ordinary man. His concise 
and powerful discussion of public questions sent conviction home to 
many. Then, in conclusion he remarked : 

"When I came here today, my friends insisted on giving me a 
suit of clothes but I told them that clothes did not make the man ; that 
'Rank is but the guinea's stamp. 
The man's a man for a' that ;' 
and that what was good enough for my people was good enough 
for anybody. 

"I am told that when my opponent first came to this county he 
was a poor young man, as badly dressed as I am now. You people 
£Ook him up and nobly stood by him until he is blessed with much 
©f this world's goods. I am informed that he and his family toil not, 



20 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

neither do they spin; that they dress in purple and fine linen and" fare 
sumptuously every day ; yet I am told that he has never been known to 
invite a poor man home to dinner with him." 

Dunlap sprang to his feet and denounced the statement as a lie. 

"Sit down, George, and keep quiet!" said Elliott. "The proof 
of the pudding is the chewing of the bag. Now, fellow citizens, I 
will ask if there is a poor man in this audience who was ever invited 
home to dinner by him, to hold up his hand." 

Elliott now paused for a minute and no hand appearing, con- 
tinued : 

"Now if there is any man present who ever heard of George 
inviting any poor man to dinner with him he will please hold up 
his hand." 

No hand went up, when Elliott turned to his opponent and ex- 
claimed : 

"George, I think I've got you." 

The crowd was convulsed with laughter, and it was plain that 
Elliott had won the day. From that day forward Elliott related how 
he had told the Bluegrass voters that clothes good enough for his 
people were good enough for anybody, and persisted in alluding to 
his friend as a man who had been raised from poverty to wealth, 
who lived in greatest affluence, yet never had been known to invite a 
poor man home to dinner with him. When the votes were counted 
it developed that Elliott had been elected by a large majority. 

KNEW WHAT HE NEEDED. 

Judge Elliott had a contempt for a certain Governor of the 
State, who he did not think was a man of ability. One Sunday he 
was sitting in the Capitol Hotel at Frankfort, when his quondam 
competitor for Congress came in, returning from church. 

"Where have you been, George?" asked the Judge. 

"To the Presbyterian church, where I heard one of the greatest 
sermons and the most patriotic prayer I ever listened to," responded 
Col. D . 

"What did he say in his prayer." queried the Judge. 

"Well," said the Colonel, "he prayed for a full and complete re- 
conciliation of the North and South, and that each section should 
love the other, and we might be, in fact, but one people. He prayed 
for the President of the United States, and the Governors of all the 
States, and, especially for the Governor of Kentucky." 

"What did he say about the Governor of Kentucky?" queried 
the Judge. 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 21 

"He prayed for the Lord to give him wisdom and — " 
"There now!" exclaimed the Judge, "he is a smart man. He 
knows exactly what the Governor needs." 

GENERAL WHITTAKER. 

There was no braver or better officer in the Union Army than 
General Walter C. Whittaker. Before the war he was a lawyer of 
ability, and at the breaking out of the Rebellion was a member of the 
Senate. Although he lisped, he was a speaker of considerable power. 
He was regarded as a very brave and exceedingly dangerous man, 
and many persons stood in awe of him. His military record was 
that of a brilliant, dashing and courageous officer. 

DANGER HAPPILY AVERTED. 

After he had gone into the army General Whittaker returned to 
a term of the Henry county circuit court to defend a man charged 
with murder. The case had been continued several times on his mo- 
tion, and Judge Drane had most positively and curtly announced to 
the members of the bar that it should not be again continued. This 
announcement occurred before the news of the arrival of the General, 
who was not expected to be present. As soon as it was known that 
he was in town, general consternation ensued. Being told by the hotel- 
keeper that he had no vacant room, and that his only chance would be 
to sleep in a room where Judge Drane and a number of lawyers were 
quartered. General Whittaker readily accepted the situation and was 
shown up. 

When he entered every gentleman present hurriedly arose, and 
after a profound bow, offered him a chair. He declined all offers, 
however, with great civility. Later, each gentleman, with profuse 
hospitality, tendered him his bed, but their offers v/ere declined with 
thanks. He was dressed in uniform, with a heavy broad sword belted 
around him, and in the belt was also a large army pistol. 

"Gentlemen, I do not care for a bed," said he, "I am a tholdier, 
accuthtomed to thleep on Mother Earth with no covering but the 
cloudths." 

After thus delivering himself he turned his chair down upon the 
floor and lay down to rest. All of the occupants of the room wenj 
to bed at once. 

Later in the night the General had a dream. He was in the 
midst of a great battle, at the head of his soldiers, leading a charge. 



22 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

Springing to his feet he drew his sword and circling it above 
his head, knocking the plastering from the ceiling and scattering 
dismay in all directions, he yelled in tones of thunder : 

"Tharge! Tharge." 

In the twinkling of an eye every bed was vacated, and Judge 
Drane and the lawyers, clad in their night robes, disappeared through 
open doors and windows, leaving Whittaker in undisturbed posses- 
sion. 

Awaking from his dream he immediately returned to his chair, 
lay down and slept until morning. After court met, the spurs and 
sword of the General were heard rattling on the stones near the 
entrance of the courtroom, striking terror to the hearts of many 
persons. Presently he entered and marched down the crowded aisle, 
people parting with great fear and commendable humility, on either 
side, to allow him to pass. 

He strode up to the center of the bar and abruptly addressed the 
court, suggested that his country needed his services in the field, and 
that the case against his client should be continued. Of course, n« 
objection was made to the motion. The court, forgetting his pre- 
vious declaration, hastened to say that he heartily agreed with the 
General, and would, with pleasure, continue the case. 

Amid breathless silence, except the clatter of spurs and sword, 
the General then turned "about, face," and walked rapidly from the 
room. After he had disappeared an expressive smile of relief lighted 
the faces of judge, bar, jury and spectators, each and all of whom 
were delighted to see the General return to the front. 

THREAT EASILY SATISFIED. 

After the Civil War ended. General Whittaker removed to Louis- 
ville and engaged in the practice of law. At this time Judge Bax- 
ter, of Nashville, was in Louisville presiding over the United States 
circuit court. He, like General Whittaker, was a man of temper 
and courage, and was of very large and commanding appearance. 
The Judge, in deciding a case against Wliittaker's client, made some 
observation at which Whittaker took offense. He immediately ut- 
tered among his brother lawyers the direct threat against the Judge 
and when court adjourned, walked out in the hall awaiting Baxter's 
coming. 

The lawyers stood aghast, afraid to notify the Judge of his 
danger, lest they should call dawn the wrath of General Whittaker 
upon their heads. The Judge came walking leisurely along when the 



Stories of William O. Bradley 23 

General, who was of insignificant stature, stepped up to him and 
said in a loud voice : 

"Judge, you inthulted me today, and I demand an apology." 

The Judge looked down upon him contemptuously and remarked : 

"The hell you say," and passed on. 

The General stood dazed for a few minutes and then turning to 
his brother attorneys with an air of triumph, said : 

"I told you I would get even with him, d — m him ; I made him 
loothe his judithial dignity and expothe himthelf." 

INSTRUCTION AND ENTERTAINMENT. 

The same distinguished attorney, just preceding his volunteer- 
ing, defended a man by the name of Ben Mickey on a charge of mur- 
der. In the course of his remarkable address to the jury, he said : 

"Gentlemen, of the jury, I always speak with two intenthuns : 
my first is to instruct and my thecond to entertain. And having 
spoken to you for two hourths for the purpoths of instruction, I will 
now speak to you for two hourths more for the purpose of enter- 
tainment. I took a sthroU the other morning, and as I sthrolled out 
in the thuburbs of the town the sthweet notes of the robin fell upon 
the chamberths of my ear, and I said to myself: 'Poor Ben Mickey, 
no robin things for him.' Man dieths, gentlemen of the jury, thome- 
body's got to clothes his eyes; you die, thomebody's got to clothes 
your eyes — I die" (here the speaker was overcome with emotion and 
spoke in tearful tones), "and thomebody's got to clothes my eyes. 
But when the little bird dieths he clothes hiths own eyes." 

It is unnecessary, perhaps, to add that the defendant was con- 
victed. 

JUDGE PEARL. 

Judge Pearl was for many years Circuit Judge in one of the 
mountain circuits of Kentucky. He was one of the best equipped 
men who ever sat upon a bench. Possessed of much learning, strong 
common sense and a legal mind, naturally, he won great distinction. 
He had only one failing, now and then he imbibed too freely, on which 
occasions he did and said many amusing things. 

"SMARTEST MAN ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH." 

While presiding and instructing the grand jury in a small and 
very hot court room, being a very fleshy man and seriouslv under 
the influence of liquor, the Judge was almost overcome with heat, 
and, besides, he had reached the stage when he was unable to articulate 
very distinctly. He did not wish to confess his inability to proceed, 



24 Stories of WUliam O. Bradley. 

and yet he saw that he was nearing the point when he would be 
forced to do so. 

Appreciating his condition, one of the attorneys, Robert Boyd, 
arose, and after asking- to be excused for interrupting the court, sug- 
gested that it was near the dinner hour (which was not true), and in 
view of that, and the further fact that the Judge could not conclude 
his charge before the arrival of that hour, moved that the court 
adjourn until one o'clock. This motion was a life-saver to the Judge, 
who responded gratefully: 

"Bob, I have always known you were the smartest man on the 
face of the earth — Court stands adjourned until one o'clock P. M." 

UNIQUE OPINION OF MT. VERNON BAR. 

On a certain occasion he said to a friend that one of the local 
lawyers. Bob Cook, had been very kind in obtaining whiskey for him, 
which was quite difficult to do as local option was in force in the 
town. In the course of the conversation the friend asked him his 
opinion of the local attorneys at Mt. Vernon. The judge answered 
promptly : 

"Well, there is San Burdette ; he is a bright, smart fellow, but he 
is all blossom and no fruit. As to John Brown, he is a tolerable 
lawyer and a mighty fine poker player. Judge Carter don't know 
narry law, Ike Stewart is a queer specimen of humanity — at a dis- 
tance, when he is walking you can't tell whether his toes are in front 
or behind. He is not dangerous as a lawyer, but greatly to be feared 
as a witness. Judge McClure can only go half hammered — his ability 
will not reach three jumps — but Bob Cook is the cleverest man on 
earth, and a pretty durned good lawyer, too." 

THE LAWYER AND THE COMET. 

In the Judge's town there lived a handsome and well-dressed 
lawyer, a man of fine character and intelligence, but whom the Judge 
disliked and regarded as filled with self-importance. Some while 
previous to the time of his remark a comet appeared, causing much 
comment in the newspapers and among the people. Suddenly it 
disappeared, and some one called the attention of the Judge to the 
fact, whereupon he remarked: 

"I am not astonished. I knew there was not room enough in the 
universe for Bill B and the comet, both." 



Stories of IVilliam O. Bred ley. 25 

SUDDEN CHANGE OF OPINION. 

The Judge, as stated, was a large, fleshy man and, being of low 
stature, his locomotion was attended with some difficulty. He fre- 
quently rode on horseback to various courts in his circuit. While 
thus traveling with a huge pair of saddle-bags thrown across his sad- 
dle, a young man by the name of Landrum caught up with him, and 
the following colloquy ensued. Said the young man : 

"Good morning, Judge." 

The Judge responded: 

"Good morning, young man, what is your name?" 

"My name is Walker Landrum, and I live in Lancaster — am a 
son of your old friend. General Landrum." 

They moved along in silence for sometime, when the Judge, who 
knew of the many killings that had taken place in Lancaster for some 
years previous, remarked : 

"Well, I suppose you have a pistol and know how to use it!" 

"Do you see that woodpecker?" said the Judge, pointing to a 
bird on a tree near by. 

"I do," said Landrum. 

"Well," said the Judge, "do you think you could hit him?" 

"Certainly," said Landrum, "but I do not care to kill him as he 
is valuable in destroying insects." 

"Valuable in killing insects?" said the Judge, "He is the meanest 
and filthiest of birds, and I wish you would kill him." 

"All right," Landrum responded, and suiting his action to his 
word, fired. 

Hearing a scuffling and confusion Landrum turned and beheld 
the Judge lying flat of his back in the middle of the road ; his saddle- 
bags about ten feet away and his old gray mare, with tail over her 
back, running at breakneck speed down the hill. He immediately 
dismounted and assisted the Judge to arise, and thence to a friendly 
log, where he seated him and handed him his saddle-bags. Then, 
mounting his horse, he rapidly pursued the fleeing mare and presently 
returned with her. 

After condoling with the Judge, he assisted him to mount his 
animal, and they rode forward in silence for several hundred yards. 
At length Landrum, espying another woodpecker, pointed him out 
to the Judge and prepared to fire, when the Judge, in a pleading man- 
ner, exclaimed: 

"Don't, Landrum, for God's sake don't shoot him ; he is the most 
harmless bird on the face of the earth." 



26 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

THE GREATEST SPEECH EVER. 

Judge Pearl and Senator Bradley were on terms of the greatest 
friendship and intimacy, which was never broken but once, and then 
only for a short while. During the Civil War Sigman killed young 
Higginbotham in Rockcastle County. Many years after he was 
arrested in Missouri and brought to Kentucky for trial. Senator 
Bradley was employed to prosecute. The defendant interposed a plea 
of former jeopardy, and upon this plea Judge Pearl (who had left the 
bench many years before) was the principal witness for defendant. 
He took serious exceptions to that portion of Senator Bradley's argu- 
ment regarding his testimony. 

At the conclusion of the speech a warm friend of the Senator 
rushed over to the Judge and exclaimed: 

"Warn't that a great speech?'' 

The Judge responded : 

"Tolerable, but do you know that he is now the maddest man in 
this court house?" 

"No," replied the friend, "what is he mad about?" 

"Because," said the Judge, "every man, woman and child in the 
courtroom have not crowded around him and told him that was the 
greatest speech ever made on the face of the earth.'' 

POLITENESS PERSONFIED. 

A very polite toper of Lancaster called for a drink, and the bar 
keeper handed him a glass of liquor with several dead flies floating 
on the top. With his usual politeness, he turned to the bartender and 
remarked : 

"My friend, I know you will pardon me when I request that you 
will please give me my whiskey in one glass and my flies in another, 
so that I m.ay mix them to suit myself." 

SPENCER G. DABNEY. 

Spencer G. Dabney was a unique character. He was a saddler 
by trade originally, and branched out as a drummer, then a lawyer, 
then a drummer, thence back again to a saddler. He was postmaster 
of Jacksboro, Tennessee, while Cleveland was President, died some 
years ago, and is buried on a mountain near that picturesque little 
village. 

He was the first drummer or commercial traveler known 
in Kentucky, having launched into that business more than fifty 
years ago. It is questionable whether in many respects he ever had 
an equal. He was born in what was known as the "Chitwood Settle- 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 27 

ment" in Tennessee many years ago, but spent most of his life in Ken- 
tucky, A man of winning manners, musical voice, sparkling wit, 
great originality and imposing person, it is not surprising he counted 
his friends by the scores. Wherever he went he was sought after, 
and many of the older residents of the State with great pride and 
pleasure recount his stories, among which may be mentioned the 
following. 

EQUAL LOSERS. 

A man who had borrowed money from Spencer G. Dabney many 
times and never repaid it, insisted he should loan him ten dollars 
more. Dabney informed him that he did not have that amount, but 
this only seemed to make the fellow more persistent. At length Dab- 
ney remarked: 

"You say you must have ten dollars?" 

"Yes," answered the man. 

Dabney pulled a five dollar bill from his pocket and handing 
it to him, observed : 

"There, take that. You lose $5, and Fll lose $5." 

HOW A SILK HAT SAVED A LIFE. 

Dabney was very careful in his dress, always wearing a spotless 
shirt front, a suit of black broadcloth, polished shoes and a glossy 
silk hat. He was doubtless the only living man who would have 
worn such clothes through the mountainous section of Kentucky 
without incurring the contempt of the people. He told some friends 
that his silk hat had once saved his life. Said he : 

"I was traveling along an unfrequented road in the mountains 
when I heard voices in the brush not far from me; I reined in my 
horse and listened to the conversation, and I found that the parties 
were discussing whether or not they should murder and rob me. 
One of the number said, 'That man is bound to have plenty of money. 
Just look at his hat.' 

"My heart was in my mouth in an instant, but you may well 
imagine how much I was relieved, when another said : 'Why, boys, 

that's the best sign in the world that he hain't no money, the d d 

fool has invested the last cent he had in the world in that hat. ' This 
settled it. I continued my journey in safety, all because I wore that 
hat. The truth is that the man was almost right ; I had only twenty- 
five cents in my pocket." 



28 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

THE EFFECT OP CHANGE. 

He took great pleasure in recounting the experiences of his 
boyhood days in the Tennessee mountains, always dwelling with 
sincere affection on his Uncle Joe and Aunt Polly, who took charge 
of him at the death of his parents, when he was only three years of 
age, and reared him to manhood. 

These old people, he said, were kind hearted and generous, but 
plain and unlettered. Years after he had gone from them and become 
a man of the world, he returned on a visit, dressed with his usual 
good taste. They were delighted to see him, but plainly evinced their 
displeasure on account of his dress and change of manner. 

When he sat down at the humble board, he thanked them to 
hand him the potatoes, onions and molasses. Seeing that they did 
not approve of his correct pronunciation of the names of these articles, 
he concluded to humor them by calling for each of them the second 
time. So he said : 

"Aunt Polly, hand me the ingurns." 

This produced a faint smile on Aunt Polly's face. Turning to his 
uncle he asked for the "taters," and then speaking again to his aunt, 
he requested that the "lasses" should be passed to him. The old 
lady was overcome with pleasure at his seeming return to his former 
self, and with a hearty laugh, said : 

"Now Spencer, you begin to talk natural and look like somebody." 

POLLY MUGGINS' FISH TRAP. 

Many years ago there lived in Whitley county, Kentucky, on 
the Cumberland river, at the foot of the mountain, an old lady who 
was affectionately called "Aunt Polly Muggins." She kept a little 
tavern which was a model of neatness, and was an accomplished cook. 
She also was the proprietor of a fish trap, known as a double fish 
trap, of which she said : "It catches em er comin' or gwine." 

Once in each year she gave a fish dinner to which the leading 
citizens of the county were invited, and some notable from a distance 
was always induced to be present and deliver an address. In the late 
spring or early summer of 1855, such a dinner was given, and Colonel 
Dabney agreed to "orate." 

After the guests had been seated at the table Uncle Rashe Creek- 
more arose and presented Colonel Dabney, who spoke as follows : 

"When the traveler, weary and worn, is descending yonder moun- 
tain his heart is filled with joyous anticipation, for he knows that he 
is soon to sit down and rest 'neath the umbrageous elms of Aunt 
Polly Muggins." (Applause.) 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 29 

"When the beaming sun is pouring its rays down upon suffering 
man and beast, they, from the mountain's crest, look down upon the 
smiling valleys at its feet and gather new life and vigor, for they 
know that delightful refreshment is not far away. (Applause.) Not 
more grateful is the oasis in the desert than the hospitable home of 
Aunt Polly Muggins, nestled among the trees at the foot of the moun- 
tains. Napoleon won great victories and held the world in the thrall- 
dom of combined terror and admiration, but he made no one happy. 
Peace hath its victories no less than war; Aunt Polly Muggins in 
peace brings happiness to starving man and is, in truth, 'an angel of 
mercy.' " (Here, Aunt Polly, who weighed 340 pounds, bowed her 
sylph-like figure and rewarded the orator with an angelic smile, by 
reason of which there was great applause.) 

"We are met here, gentlemen, to partake of the noble woman's 
hospitality. What a privilege! We come not to pay court to a 
monarch with the padlock of slavery fastened upon our lips, but to 
offer sincere gratitude to the grandest woman in Whitley county — as 
free men ! Free to act ! Free to speak ! Free to eat ! And what is 
better still, free to drink ! (Applause and cheers.) If I were standing 
today on the brink of the grave and the Lord should give me my 
choice as to where I should spend eternity, I would say, 'good-bye, 
heaven, I only ask to live forever at Polly Muggins' tavern.' " 

At this point Mrs. Muggins was overcome with emotion and the 
tears streamed down her cheeks. Seeing that it was necessary to 
liven up the boys, he concluded as follows: 

"And, now, gentlemen, I will ask you to rise and drink the 
health of the good woman, and allow me to wish that she may live 
for a thousand years, and that we may live equally as long, and once in 
each year may assemble to re-enact the scenes and incidents of this 
glorious day !" (The applause was now deafening.) 

"At this juncture," said the Colonel, who was telling the story, 
"after the drinks were taken — for no man felt free to act until this 
was an accomplished fact, lest some intervening Providence should 
separate him from his 'mint julep' — I undertook to sit down, when 
Uncle Rashe Creekmore arose and, straightening his six feet six, said 
impressively : 

" 'Spencer, my boy, you are the finest dressed man I ever saw. I 
have hearn Clay and Crittenden and Marshall.' By this time I was 
swollen to the size of two ordinary men and never felt so happy in 
all my life. 'But you need only one thing to make you a greater 
speaker than all of them.' he continued. 

The crowd demanded in one voice : 



30 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

" 'What's that, Uncle Rashe?' 
Then the paralyzing answer came : 

" 'Idees, Spencer, idees.' 

"A punctured balloon never collapsed more completely or sud- 
denly than I did, and from that good hour to this, I have never at- 
tempted to make a speech," said Dabney. 

PERSONATES GOVERNOR WISE. 

This is another one of his stories which, like nearly all the others, 
was told at his own expense : 

Whilst Wise was Governor of Virginia, there lived a gentleman 
by the name of Lucas, in Jamestown, Kentucky, who was a hotel 
keeper, a politician and an extravagant admirer of the Governor. I 
was on my first visit to the little town, but had heard of Lucas' weak- 
ness. I rode up, dressed in a suit of broad cloth and a shiny silk hat. 
Lucas at once thought that a gentleman of quality had arrived and 
hastened to assist me to dismount. I bowed right and left with great 
dignity to the little knot of men present, walked into the office and 
registered my name as "Governor Wise, Virginia." 

When Lucas saw the name his pleasure had no bounds ; he almost 
screamed with delight and came near wringing off my hand ; he called 
in the crowd and introduced each one to me as his friend Governor 
Wise, of Virginia, and then rushed frantically away to inform his 
good wife of the distinguished arrival. At once everything was in a 
hubbub of subdued excitement, as the worthy lady commenced prep- 
aration for dinner. Necessarily there was considerable delay. The 
best tableware was borrowed from residents of the town, and such 
another dinner has rarely been seen. I was sitting near the open door 
of the dining room watching the preparations. I saw one steaming 
dish after another placed on the table, which fairly groaned with its 
heavy burden. 

Finally the good lady took her seat at the head of the table with 
the perspiration streaming down her face and with an air of exulting 
triumph said to the waiter : — "Now, let him come." And come I did, 
never enjoying any dinner before or since as I did that one. 

But when I made my identity known, it took three men to pre- 
vent Lucas from taking my life. I was compelled to leave town in a 
more hurried than dignified manner, and I did not dare to return 
until more than a year afterward, Lucas in the meanwhile having 
come to the conclusion that it was all a good joke. 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 31 

NOVEL PLEA OF SELF DEFENSE. 

Josh Dye was one of the celebrities of Lincohi county. He 
professed to be, and really thought he actually was, gifted with great 
legal ability. Time and again he attempted to get a license to practice 
law, but was on each occasion grievously disappointed. He went to 
his grave believing that the jealousy of the local attorneys alone had 
prevented him from obtaining a license. 

Having been indicted for disturbing religious worship, he de- 
manded the privilege of defending himself, which, of course, v/as 
readily granted. In addition, he claimed the right to select the prose- 
cuting attorney. He seriously objected to Commonwealth's Attorney 
Denny prosecuting him, and insisted on being prosecuted by "the 
Hocker children, one or both." (Two young and deserving lawyers 
of the local bar.) This, which he contended was a constitutional 
right, being denied him, he gravely entered an exception and the 
trial proceeded. 

The witnesses for the Commonwealth stated that while a protract- 
ed meeting was being carried on out in the country, a large crowd being 
present, great religious excitement prevailing and many persons hav- 
ing gone forward to the altar to be prayed for, Dye, who was very 
drunk, climbed upon a stove and knocked the pipe down upon the 
heads of the "mourners," which substantially broke up the meeting. 
Dye disdainfully declined to cross-examine, called Brother Cook, the 
local preacher, to the witness stand and proceeded to interrogate 
him as follows : 

"Brother Cook, did you see me at worship on the night spoke 
of?" 

Brother Cook. "I did.'^ 

Dye. "Were I or were I not a mourner at that time?" 

Cook responded, "No, but you were drunk." 

"How did you know I were drunk?" asked Dye. 

Cook answered, "I could tell it from your appearance." 

"Now, Brother Cook," said Dye, "do you mean to say that you 
can tell from a mourner's looks, whether he is drunk on liquor or 
drunk on religion?" 

Cook sententiously responded, "You were drunk on whiskey." 

Dye sat despairingly for a moment and then said : "Brother 
Cook, I will ask you one more question. Did I, or did I not, jump off 
the stove to prevent being crushed to death by the mourners, and 
were I or not a actin' in self defense?" 



32 Stories of Williain O. Bradley. 

After the cessation of merriment and confusion in the court 
room attending this question, Brother Cook responded, "No," when 
Dye surrendered all hope of escape and submitted the case to the jury. 

THE LAUGH TURNED. 

When Senator Bradley was running for Governor in 18S7 he made 
a speech at Chinquapin Rough, in Jackson County. The meeting was 
held in a grove, and the horses and mules were hitched in and about 
its vicinity. While the Senator was speaking a large mule with tre- 
mendous lungs commenced braying. This produced great merriment 
at the Senator's expense on the part of the Democrats in the audience. 
The Senator, catching the spirit of the joke, remarked: 

"There it is, again, I never can speak without being interrupted 
by some Democrat." 

A BACKWOODS LAWYER. 

Judge M. C. Saufley is authority for the following: 

Charles L. Higginbotham was a noted and unique character of 
Wayne county. He had held the ofifices of constable and justice of 
the peace, and, after having established a local reputation in the 
discharge of his duties, he conceived the idea that he was born to 
a higher destiny. He applied for a license to practice law, and ob- 
tained it, more by the grace of the judge of the circuit court than 
by the merit of any attainment in the science. His personality was 
striking ; a man of low stature, with immense head, face and stomach, 
small legs, protruding eyes and, withal, a deep, bass voice which did 
not have to be lifted up to be audible. 

At the first term of the circuit court after he had obtained his 
license, Judge Wheat in calling the Commonwealth docket, called, 
"The Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Charley Bell, Indictment for 
tippling." 

Higginbotham deliberately arose from an elevated back seat 
in the court room, his constable's saddle-bags in which he "kept his 
office," across his shoulders, and, beckoning toward the Judge with 
his index finger, said, in a deep tone: 

"Jedge, I move to throw her overboard!" 

Judge Wheat, a kindly and benevolent old gentleman, raised his 
spectacles, looked over the assembled crowd, recognized the speaker 
and said : 

"Come within the bar, Mr. Higginbotham, and make your motion 
known to the court !" 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 33 

Higginbotham hustled down from his perch, threaded his way 
through the crowd, and stood before the Judge. Said the Judge : 

"What is your motion, Mr. Higginbotham." 

"I move to throw her overboard," responded Higginbotham, 

"What is the ground of that motion?" said the Judge. 

"The defendant, Charles Bell, is a poor man ; he's half blind ; 
he's got a large family of children and no sustainance," answered 
Higginbotham. 

"I demur to that motion," said the Commonwealth's Attorney. 

"The demurer is overruled, the motion is sustained, the indict- 
ment is thrown overboard," ruled the Judge entering into the humor 
of the situation. 

"I thank the court for its wisdom and justice," responded Higgin- 
botham very gravely and bowing profoundly, totally unconscious that 
there was the slightest element of a joke entering into the victory 
he had achieved. 

Higginbotham had not been offering his services to litigants 
very long before he discovered the need of a book which was not to 
be found in the library of any of the local lawyers. The bright idea 
struck him that if he could procure this ideal book, it would save him 
the trouble of much reading — an exercise to which he was wholly 
unused — and, besides, relieve him of that doubt and anxiety as to 
results which keep the best lawyers awake all night. He was cer- 
tainly not wanting in the constructive faculty, and pondering the 
matter awhile, he wrote a letter to the Public Printer, of which the 
following is a precise copy, save the spelling, punctuation and 
chirography, which, unhappily, cannot be reproduced : 

"Monticello, Kentucky, 

September 15th, 

A. G. Hodges, State Printer, 

Frankfort, Ky. 
Dear Sir: — 

I want you to print me a book that contains all the laws of the 
United States and each State thereof. I want it to contain the forms 
of a petition in equity, a petition in law, all the motions and demur- 
rers, and the answers that would be proper thereto, the argument of 
counsel and the evidence, being so and so, and the probable verdict 
of the jury. I think if you would print such a book you could sell 
several of them in this town. I would take one, Sherrod Williams 
would take one, Shelby Stone would take one, Jeems Chrisman would 
take one, and the Van Winkles would need one each. 

Yours respectfully, CHARLES HIGGINBOTHAM.^' 



34 Stories of IVilliam 0. Bradley. 

PUNISHMENT FOR CONTEMPT. 

A most amusing incident transpired in the second division of 
the Common Pleas Branch, Jefferson circuit court, Judge Gordon 
presiding. 

The Judge is one of the mildest, best natured men in the world, 
with a full sufficiency of judicial ability and old fashioned backbone. 
He is a large, muscular man and when aroused is, to use the language 
of Bill Arp, "a awkward man in a row." 

A case was pending in his court in which Dr. Wathen, an em- 
inent physician and surgeon, was a witness. The doctor was a rapid 
talker and insisted on making statements that were incompetent. The 
Judge repeatedly called him to order and at length administered a 
severe rebuke. This offended the doctor seriously. A short while 
after, he met the Judge on the street and said to him that he did not 
relish the treatment, and asked the Judge whether or not he would be 
sent to jail if he resented it. 

"No," said the Judge, "by no means, but I think it my duty to 
tell you that you will certainly be sent to the hospital." 

FRANK BUT INGENIOUS ARGUMENT. 

John B had been Commonwealth's Attorney of the 

District of Kentucky. After the expiration of his term he was em- 
ployed to defend a man for murder, whereupon he interposed the plea 
of insanity. John had made a reasonably good attorney, but had 
never succeeded in "setting the world on fire." No one knew his 
inability in many respects better than he, and he was smart enough 
to know that it was generally known. In making his argument he 
said to the jury : 

"Gentlemen, this man is crazy beyond a reasonable doubt. Two 
circumstances clearly establish this, leaving out all the other proof 
in the case. In the first place it is shown beyond all doubt that his 
father was crazy for many years and died crazy, and in the second 
place the fact that he has employed me proves that he has no sense 
and is wholly irresponsible." 

TAKING TIME BY THE FORELOCK. 

Bill Hudson was a negro floater who always sold his vote. He 
would sell it in all sorts of ways and to all sorts of people, frequently 
to contending candidates, and, consequently, was the cause of many 
rows in Lancaster. During the latter part of the campaign for Judge 
and Commonwealth's Attorney in the year 1886, he went about the 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 35 

Streets with tearful face and broken voice, begging for money to 
bury his poor old mother. In this way he procured quite a little sum. 

After the election was over one of the gentlemen who had con- 
tributed liberally because of the fact that his brother-in-law was a 
candidate for Judge, incidentally heard some one speak of having 
seen Bill's mother the day before. This information caused him to 
lose his temper and he vowed within himself the first time he saw 
Bill to give him a good threshing. 

A few days thereafter he met Bill and demanded of him to know 
why he had obtained this money under false pretenses, telling him 
he had heard a short while before that his mother was alive, although 
he had represented immediately preceding the election that she was 
dead. Bill turned and looking him full in the face, said : 

"I didn't say Mammy was dead." 

Th^n said the gentleman : "Did you want the money to bury her 
alive?" 

"Now, boss," said Bill, "doan you go to gittin rickliss. Jes lisen 
to me a minit. Now, boss, you know life is uncertain, and so do I. 
How could I tell when mammy mite die. She was ole and was lible 
to die at any minit. I know'd this, and I went to work to get ther 
money so's if she happen'd ter die I wud have ther money reddy ter 
bury her widoud stoppin my mournin ter run round ther town an 
beg fur it." 

The explanation was necessarily sufficient. 

A REASONABLE DOUBT. 

Judge W presided many years in the Harrodsburg dis- 
trict. He told, as only he could tell, his experience in a murder trial 
at Lawrenceburg, as follows : 

Three men were indicted for murder, one who fired the shot 
and the others as being present, aiding, counseling and assisting in 
the commission of the crime. The proof was conclusive, and I 
instructed the jury that if they believed from the evidence, beyond a 
reasonable doubt, that the two who did not shoot were present, aiding, 
counseling and advising, they were equally guilty with the defendant 
who fired the fatal shot. To my profound astonishment the jury 
hung, as to the two who didn't shoot, and being informed that an 
honest old blacksmith had hung the jury, I asked him what was his 
reason. Said he : 

" 'Judge, did you not tell us if we had a reasonable doubt, we 
should acquit?' 



36 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

"Yes," said I, "but you could not have had a reasonable doubt, 
the evidence was plain and uncontradicted that they were present, 
aiding, abetting and counseling the commission of the crime." 

Whispering to me very confidentially, he said : 

"That's so, Judge, but I had a reasonable doubt whether you had 
correctly given us the law, and for that reason I did not agree," 

JUDGE CRADDOCK. 

Judge George M. Craddock resided in Frankfort for many years, 
and was held in high esteem for his sterling character, legal acumen 
and political sagacity. He was very slow, deliberate and tedious in 
speech, in consequence of which he was the target for much amuse- 
ment. Nevertheless, he said many witty things that will not soon 
be forgotten, 

AN AMUSING RETORT. 

Circuit court at Frankfort had concluded its labors and the 
members of the bar were having a jollification. Judge Thomas Lind- 
sey was celebrated for always moving for a new trial and praying an 
appeal if unsuccessful, and, be it said to his credit, was most generally 
successful in reversing the judgment. 

In speaking of Judge Craddock, he said: 

"George, the Lord will convict you on Judgment Day before 
you state your case, much less before you argue it," 

"Yes," retorted Craddock, "and what will you do. When judg- 
ment of condemnation is rendered against you, you will file grounds 
and make a motion for a new trial, and when overruled, you will 
attempt to prosecute and appeal to a higher court, but for once you 
will be disappointed, and that disappointment will be more severe to 
you than all the other punishment you will receive," 

I ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERVICE. 

Although Judge Craddock was a man of considerable wealth he 
preferred to have an officer's receipt for all he owed, and rarely paid 
without being sued. In consequence of this peculiarity he was fre- 
quently served with process, which, however, never angered him. 
Walking along the pavement he passed over one side of a large hogs- 
head hoop, but, when he reached the opposite side, he stepped on it, 
and it flew up behind him and hit him on the shoulders. With 
perfect politeness he turned his head to one side, and said : 

"I acknowledge the service," mistaking the stroke for the familiar 
hand of the constable. 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 37 

THE JUDGES PROTECTING THEMSELVES. 

Judge Craddock went before the Court of Appeals to argue a 
criminal case. The Court consisted of four judges on the bench, and 
noting one of them absent, he turned to Judge Hardin, and asked 
where Judge Pryor was. Being informed he had left the city, Judge 
Craddock became very angry, saying his conduct was an outrage, in 
view of the fact that his client's case, involving his life, was to be 
argued that morning; and, consequently, the Judge should have re- 
mained. After his passion had cooled, Judge Hardin turned to him 
and kindly said : 

"Now, Judge, you know Judge Pryor is in delicate health; be- 
sides, you know the weather is exceedingly hot; how can you blame 
him for protecting himself — possibly for saving his life, by escaping 
the infliction upon him of an argument by you?" 

ENTHUSIASTIC DEMOCRATS. 

After Cleveland's election to the Presidency, a number of en- 
thusiastic Democrats of Frankfort, procured a brass band, loaded up 
with various drinks and went out to serenade the Democratic leaders. 
Judge Craddock's house was the last they visited, and when they 
reached it they were in an uproarious condition. The Judge appeared 
on the porch and made several attempts to speak, but on each occasion, 
his voice was drowned by the excited crowd. This enraged him, and 
finally, when they had partially quieted down, he addressed them : 

"Fellow citizens. Democrats, hoodlums and sons of guns, I bid 
you good night." 

STINGING REBUKE. 

Senator Thomas C. McCreery was addressing an audience in 
Lexington, Ky., many years ago when a drunken ruffian persisted 
in interrupting him. Finally he remarked: 

"There lives in my county a splendid specimen of manhood by 
the name of Benny Jones, who, though eighty years old, walks erect 
as a boy, and who is known far and wide as 'Sugar Jones.* Ever 
since he reached man's estate he has attended all the political speak- 
ings in the vicinage, and during all that time was never known to 
interrupt a public speaker. The consequence is he is esteemed by all 
who know him as a perfect gentleman. I trust the man who is in- 
terrupting me so continually may profit by his example." 



38 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

A GRATEFUL GOVERNOR. 

While Senator Bradley was Governor of Kentucky, Colonel John 
K. Hendricks, of Western Kentucky, (ex-member of House of 
Congress), rushed into his office and excitedly told him that he had 
just been compelled to kill a man in front of the Capitol, and v\'anted 
a pardon. 

The Governor, who was exceedingly fond of the Colonel, ex- 
citedly inquired what on earth had made him take human life. 

"Well," said the Colonel, "I walked up the pavement in front of 
the Capitol, behaving myself with perfect propriety, without any 
malice in my heart, not supposing that there was any man on 
earth who had anything against me, when the deceased in a most 
provoking and malicious manner said to me: 'How are you, Gov- 
ernor?' Of course I could not brook such an insult and shot him 
dead, and now I ask you to pardon me." 

"Certainly," said the Governor, "I will pardon you with pleasure, 
for your prompt action has prevented me from killing this man my- 
self." 

EVERY MAN ENTITLED TO COUNSEL. 

Judge McManama ordered a prisoner to stand up that he might 
be sentenced. With fierce countenance and harsh voice he said: 

"John Jones, you have been indicted by the grand jury of Grant 

county for grand larceny. You have been defended by Bob , 

a very clever man, but a very poor lawyer ; a jury of our countrymen, 
after hearing the evidence, have found you guilty, and fixed your 
punishment at two years' confinement in the State penitentiary. Have 
you any reason to urge why sentence of the Court should not be pro- 
nounced against you?" 

Jones stood in stolid silence. Continuing Judge McManama said : 

"It is now the judgment of the court that you be taken hence 
by the jailer of Grant county, and by him delivered to the sheriff 
of Grant county, and by him released from custody, because you were 
denied your constitutional privilege of being heard either by yourself 
or counsel." 

"LARNED' HIM TOO MUCH. 

Judge Thomas Z. Morrow was one of the State's foremost jurists, 
lawyers and orators. He was the brother-in-law of Senator Bradley, 
and when the latter was a small boy, instructed him in the art of 
speaking. Long after when the Senator became a practicing attorney 
and was opposed to the Judge in the trial of cases, the Judge would 
tell the jury how he taught him to speak, etc. Finally the Senator 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 39 

concluded to anticipate the Judge who had the concluding speech, by 
telling the jury he had taught him how to speak. 

The case was on trial in the Rockcastle circuit court and Ashley 
Owens, who believed the Judge to be the greatest man alive, which 
fact, however, was unknown at the time to Senator Bradley, was the 
foreman of the jury. Senator Bradley told, with evident relish, how 
he had taught the Judge to speak. He was followed by the Judge 
in a powerful argument, which resulted in a verdict for his client for 
the full amount claimed. 

After the discharge of the jury the old foreman called Senator 
Bradley into an adjoining room and with deep solemnity said : 

"Bill, did I understand you to say that you larn't Tom how to 
speak?" 

Being answered in the affirmative, he slowly shook his head, 
remarking : 

"Well, Bill, you overdone the job, and my advice is that the next 
time you larn a man to speak, you must not larn him so darned much." 

USED THE WRONG WORD. 

Judge V practiced law in the Pulaski circuit court. He 

was an able lawyer, but given to the use of w^ords, at times, incom- 
prehensible to the ordinary juror. Judge M had instituted an 

action for the recovery of a large number of hogs. Judge V 

represented the defendant, and, in closing his argument, reminded the 
jury that there was no adminicular testimony in the case. Judge 
M in response, said : 

"Gentlemen, there is no necessity for me to enter into a lengthy 
argument after my distinguished friend has admitted that there is 
no "adminicular" testimony in the case. I quite agree with him. Ad- 
minicular testimony, gentlemen, means testimony which establishes 
the defendant's claim. The gentleman having admitted that there is 
no testimony establishing the claim of his client, all that is left for 
you to do is to return a verdict for the plaintiff for all the hogs 
claimed." 

This short speech was made with great seriousness and seeming 
confidence, so much so, that the jury believed it to be true and prompt- 
ly returned a verdict for the plaintiff as suggested. 

NOVEL METHOD OF GAUGING WHISKEY. 

Shortly after the Civil War, Judge Owsley was the Common- 
wealth's Attorney of the Eighth District, and was a politician of great 
power. In those days there was little law business being done, and 



40 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

Judge Morrow had now and then for some time been employed in 
gauging whiskey for the Government. In a joint political debate, 
Judge Owsley referred to this fact, claiming that Judge Morrow was 
a Republican because of the fact that he held a government office. 

Judge Owsley, while an exceedingly amiable and bright man, 
sometimes partook too freely of the flowing bowl. Judge Morrow, in 
responding, admitted that he had been engaged for a time in the 
service of the government and thanked the Judge for lightening his 
burdens. Said he : 

"After the Judge has been in attendance on the court for as 
much as three days, it is not necessary that I should visit the various 
distilleries in order to obtain the proof of the different whiskies in the 
county. I simply run my instrument down his throat and pull it 
out and examine it, write down 'Smith Cains, 120 proof.' I then 
again perform the operation inserting the instrument a little deeper 
and drawing it out and writing down, 'Hugh McBeath, 116 proof; 
and by repeating this operation I am enabled to know the proof of 
all the whiskey manufactured in the county." 

AN INQUIRING FEMALE. 

While Judge Morrow was presiding as judge of the Rockcastle 
circuit court, a woman witness insisted, as is quite common, on 
detailing incompetent evidence. Of course the attorneys would object, 
and the court would be compelled to stop her. Evidently she had 
never been in court before. She knew the lawyers, but did not know 
the Judge. Finally she lost her patience with the Judge, and turning 
toward him, inquired : 

"Old man, who are you, and what's this your business, anyhow?" 

APPEAL FOR SILENCE. 

In the town of Stanford was an attorney who was blessed with 
powerful lungs, and a voice like a fog horn. Judge Morrow narrates 
that while holding court in that town, John Robinson's circus came 
to give a performance. At ten o'clock A. M., just after the parade 
started through the streets and while the attorney mentioned was 
speaking in a loud voice, Robinson came into the court, made a bow 
to the Judge, and asked him if he would allow him to say a word. 
The court having granted such permission, he addressed his honor : 

"May it please the court, I will thank you to stop the gentleman 
from speaking until the parade passes through the town, so that the 
people may hear my calliope." 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 41 

FUNDAMENTAL ABSORPTION. 

Immediately preceding the Civil War, there were a number of 
distinguished graduates of Centre College, who for the first time 
went upon the hustings. Among them were Breckinridge, Brown, 
Green, Morrow, Hardin and others. The latter two named were pitted 
against each other, one favoring Breckinridge and the other favoring 
Douglas, for President. They had a joint debate in the town of 
Lancaster. 

Hardin contended that he did not understand Morrow's position 
regarding certain matters and insisted that he should make himself 
understood. Morrow responded that he had used ordinarily plain 
English, and had expressed himself in the clearest possible way. 
Hardin still contended that he did not understand him. 

"Then," said Morrow, "it is useless for me to talk further, I will 
write it out on a piece of paper and let the gentleman sit down on it, 
and take it in by fundamental absorption." 

THIRTEEN MEN NECESSARY TO CONVICT AN 
INNOCENT MAN. 

Whilst Morrow was on the bench in Boyle county, a jury con- 
victed a negro of high character of a penitentiary offense, merely, as 
Judge Morrow thought, because he was a negro and not because of 
the testimony. In passing on the motion for a new trial, Judge 
Morrow said : 

"There is no evidence in this case to justify a conviction. The 
verdict is therefore set aside. I want it understood that it takes 
thirteen men to send an innocent man to the penitentiary in this court." 

OPPOSED TO ACCIDENT INSURANCE. 

Judge Morrow was the Republican candidate for Governor of 
Kentucky in 1883 against Hon. J. Proctor Knott, Democrat. The 
Democratic majority in the State was very great, and Morrow's elec- 
tion would have been but little less than marvelous. 

During the campaign an agent insisted that Morrow should take 
out a policy against accidents. With a merry twinkle in his eye, the 
Judge remarked : 

"My dear young friend, I can not take any such policy at this 
time. The last thing I want to insure against is an accident, for in 
that way alone can I be elected." 



42 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

REMARKABLE LOVE LETTER. 

Many years ago Senator Bradley was one of the attorneys in a 
case wherein Warren sued Gentry in the Rockcastle circuit court for 
slander, because of the fact that Gentry's wife had accused Warren 
of poisoning- his wife. The defendant pleaded justification, and, among 
other evidence introduced to show that Warren was guilty, was the 
testimony of a young lady, that Warren, a short time before his 
wife's death, had proposed in a letter to have her run away with 
him. She produced the letter, in evidence, as follows : 

"Oct. 12, 1874. 

Pine Hill, Rockcastle Co., Ky., 

Nancie jain. I am a goin to rite yu wun time moar to let yu kno that 
I hain't fergot yu and I hope yu hain't fergot me, mi deer, I think 
about yu moar and moar. I am sorrie to think that yu have treat me 
so, mi darlin. It greifs mi hart to think that yu wood beleve uther 
peple befoar yu will beleve me. I have bin a fren to yu awl of mi 
life and alwase told yu how to do an I am going to tri yore fath wiin 
time moar, mi deer. 

I luv yu mi darlin stil and i never shal bait yu but thar is wun 
thing that i hait, mi deer to think that you hav treat me so an i am 
goin to ax yu to rite me unst an tel me whut yu hav hered if yu plese 
honie. ef yu hav hered whut I hav hered yu have hered yu hav hered 
a ly, i doant keer who told yu, mi darlin, and i want yu to speek to 
me mi honie wharever yu se me let it be nite or da. 
Ef yu luv me i no that yu cant hait me. Now ef yu want to gow i 
wil take yu and marri yu and bring yu bak horn like a ladi i did not 
sa i had axed yore pap fur yu and yu tole me that yu woud hav me 
if i wus the last man in the worl, yu was misstaking when yu thout 
that i had axed fur yu ef yu sa so. did yu tel that John cromer and 
kid cromer i had peswaded yu to gow with me honie ; i want everbodic 
to lik yu honie. i want yu to tel me what yu want me to do with them 
close that i bot fur yu, if yu want em mi honie yu can haf em fur i luv 
yu my darlin nancy jain. i want two sa two yu two giv me a good naim 
to everbodi and i wil giv yu a good naim ; an i am shore to do that 
much fur yu honie ; remember tiz mortle to lay this boddie down to dy. 
remember me til the pale boss kums and ma the devvil mis yu and 
the Lord git yu my darlin is mi umbl prair. here is a drap of blood, 
(here a red spot appears) it kums frum the senter of mi hart wich 
is the best i kin do at prezent. i send it to yu to let yu no that mi hart 
is brok in tu mi honie. 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 43 

and nancy jain, i want yu to pra fur me mi darlin at home an abrawd. 
i am goin to be a good boy and i shant sa whut you tol me not to sa 
the other dai. if i cant be with yu i can meet yu up in heven whar 
partin wil be no more, mi honie. So mai god bles yu and the devvil 
mis yu honie. 

i wil here mak a round wring (here appears a large circle) on this 
letter to let yu no that mi luv fur yu wil never end. 

When this yu se 

Remember me 

fur this yu can se 

when yu cant se me, mi honie mi nancy 
jain. I ax yu to go to Bud Adamses or Sam Owenses and tawk to 
rae abowt ten or fifteen minits if yu plese, mi honie, god bles yore 
sole honie so i must kum to a klose. i kant tel yu haf mi mind honie 
god bles yu mi deer pray fur me an speek to me and shaik bans with 

me mi honie. -mt ■ ^ at • • » 

Marion to Nancy jam. 

When Warren was placed on the stand, Charles Kirtley pro- 
ceeded to examine him. Kirtley was a hunch back, weighing about 
seventy-five pounds, and was shaped like an interrogation point; he 
was exceedingly shrewd and courageous, and had a keen, penetrating- 
voice. The defendant having admitted that he wrote the letter, Kirt- 
ley asked him : 

"Will you say under oath that the drop of blood on this letter 
came from the center of your heart?" 

The witness hesitated, but finally replied, "No." 

"Then," said Kirtley in a keen, piping, and insulting voice, "where 
did it come from?" 

Warren gasped for breath and in a subdued tone, said : 

"It come out'en a chicken's laig." 

COLONEL DUNLAP. 

Colonel George W. Dunlap, of L , Kentucky, was one of 

the courtliest of men. He was accomplished, thoroughly educated, 
gifted with great vivacity of manner, and was a most eloquent speaker. 

"I'M SURPRISED OF IT." 

The Colonel defended John Canter on a charge of carrying con- 
cealed deadly weapons. When the case was called Canter assured 
kim he was ready for trial and that the Commonwealth witness, a 
very substantial citizen, by the name of Boudinot, knew nothing 
against him. The Colonel asked him if he was certain of this and 
Canter, responding in the affirmative, announced : 



44 Stones of William O. Bradley. 

"Defendant is ready." 

Boudinot was introduced and swore that within twelve months 
before the finding of the indictment he met Canter, who was very 
drunk, and who cursed him, and drew a pistol from his hip pocket 
and threatened to shoot him. 

Colonel Dunlap was almost paralyzed with astonishment, but 
after recovering somewhat from the shock, he turned to Canter and 
told him in words more forcible than elegant, what he thought of 
him. Canter's only response was : 

"I'm surprised of it." 

The Colonel, seeing a ray of hope, asked that his client might 
be sworn, stating that he was taken by surprise at the statement, 
which was false; that he believed it a case of mistaken identity and 
desired to move for a continuance. Canter stood up and was sworn, 
and the Colonel asked him whether or not he was taken by surprise 
at the statement of the witness. Canter stooped down and picked 
up some shavings from the floor and hesitated. Finally the Colonel 
lost his temper and roared out at him : 

"Are you surprised by the statement?" 

Canter answered : 

"I am surprised of it." 

Then the Colonel asked whether the statements were true. 

Canter again commenced picking up shavings, when the Colonel 
again in a loud voice, repeated his question. Canter hesitated, but 
finally responded: 

"I'm surprised of it," 

The Colonel then said in an angry tone : 

"I am not asking you about that ; what I want to know is, whether 
the statement of the witness is true?" 

Again shavings were picked up and, after much hesitation. Canter 
responded : 

"Now, ray-al-ly, Colonel, I'm surprised of it." 

By this time the Colonel was in a rage, and, glaring at the witness 
exclaimed : 

"The h 1 you say." 

That ended Canter's motion for a continuance. Under instruc- 
tions a verdict was returned of "guilty" with a fine of twenty-five dol- 
lars and ten days' imprisonment. After Canter had served his time 
out, he met the Colonel, who reminded him that he had mortified him 
by his conduct and that he must now pay his fee of twenty-five 
dollars. Canter turned to him with a twinkle in his eye, and said : 

"Why, Colonel, I'm ray-al-ly surprised of it." 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 45 

BORN TO BE HANGED. 

Colonel Dunlap told a story of an old client of his who had a 
\ery wild boy. He said that the old man told him his son had wan- 
dered up and down the country, committing first one and then another 
breach of the penal laws, and beating his way everywhere. Finally, 
he took passage on a Mississippi River steamer. The boiler burst, 
and the boat caught fire. Everybody except his son jumped over- 
board, seizing whatever they could to sustain themselves. The boy 
could not swim and was afraid to jump. He retreated from the blaze 
to the edge of the boat and stood there until the flames were singeing 
his clothing. Then, with a shout of "Gallows, claim your rights," he 
jumped into the stream and swam ashore with apparent ease. Said 
the old gentleman, in commenting upon this wonderful escape : 

"I have always known, George, that he was born to be hanged." 

STRANGE AMMUNITION. 

In the campaign of 1900 Senator Bradley and Judge Yost had 
an appointment to speak in a certain town in Western Kentucky. Al- 
though notice of the meeting had been given for sometime, the op- 
posite party later made an appointment for several gentlemen of their 
faith for the same day, and as the jailer was a Democrat, had no 
trouble in procuring the court house. One of their orators, a very 
young man, sent a challenge for joint debate with Senator Bradley, 
which was declined. Senator Bradley and Judge Yost were com- 
pelled to hold their meeting in a grove near the town. 

As they were going out to the grove a gentleman came up with 
them and informed them that the young man (for whom Senator 
Bradley afterwards came to entertain high regard), whose invita- 
tion for a joint debate had been refused, had just stated in the 
court house that he had challenged Senator Bradley to debate with 
him, and Senator Bradley had declined because he was afraid of him. 
When Senator Bradley arose to speak he told the audience of the cir- 
circumstances, and frankly admitted the truth of the assertion that he 
was afraid of the young gentleman. Said he : 

"I am afraid of him for the same reason that the Indian chief 
gave for his precipitate retreat on the frontier. Some United States 
soldiers, who were on a very steep hill, were attacked by Indians, who 
were concealed in a thicket below them. Having a howitzer mounted 
on a mule, the soldiers fired it into the ranks of the Indians. The 
rebound knocked the mule to the earth and he rolled down the hill 
with the howitzer attached to him into the midst of the savages below. 



46 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

This sudden and strange circumstance caused the Indians to flee in 
great trepidation. 

"The old chief was captured and being asked why he and his 
braves fled so precipitately, answered, with great solemnity, 'Me no 
'fraid o' white man and no 'fraid o' guns, but, when white man shoots 
whole jackass at me, me can't stand it.' And so I say now, I am not 
afraid of Democrats, and not afraid of guns, but when the Democratic 
party shoots a whole, live, kicking jackass at me, I can't stand it." 

RUFUS ENO. 

Colonel W. H. Slaughter relates the follovi?ing story: 
In the quiet little village of New Haven, Kentucky, nestled on 
the waters of the Rolling Fork, lived a strange human being, the 
cobbler of the neighborhood, named Rufus Eno. He v^-as a giant in 
stature, with brawny limbs, big, wild, restless eyes, high cheek bones, 
and gorilla-like expression. When and how he came into the village 
few, if any, of its inhabitants knew or cared — he seemed to have just 
dropped in. He was apparently about fifty years of age and seemed 
to grow no older. He had little or nothing to say ; his life was a 
mystery. His habitation, if it could be dignified by that name, was 
a little eight-by-ten shack on the remote corner of a four-acre-square, 
without plaster or ceiling. 

Daylight was not a stranger to any part of it, so unpretentious 
had been its construction, apparently built without aim or object. 
Here Eno lived, worked, ate and slept, contentedly. No one knew 
his history ; if he had any, it was a sealed book. He worked day and 
night, and night and day. As soon as the sun went down his dingy 
lamp was lighted and the neighbors said that he worked all night — 
his hammer sounding at intervals until all the drowsy denizens were 
asleep, and with the gray dawn it was the first sound to greet their 
ears. It seemed never to cease. It was the villagers' watchman, 
"What of the night?" their reveille and tattoo. 

By and by, the good trustees of the town passed a Sunday 
ordinance requiring all secular work to cease, and stores and shops 
to close, from 12 o'clock Saturday night until the same hour Sunday 
night. Thereafter, promptly at 12 o'clock Saturday night Eno's light 
went out, and death-like silence reigned until 12 o'clock Sunday night, 
when again it reappeared and the sound of the old hammer seemed 
to say to the villagers wrapt in slumber — "All's well." 

He had neither friend nor foe, he lived to himself, prepared his 
own food — if he ate at all. He had no bed upon which to stretch his 
tired, ponderous frame, if he ever grew weary or ever slept. When 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 47 

people wanted their shoes mended they unceremoniously pushed open 
the creaky door, threw them on the floor, stating when they would 
call for them, and Eno would simply look up from his bench, never 
speaking, but the work was always ready, when called for. When 
asked the charge he would grunt out "quarter," "dime" or whatever it 
might be. It was always moderate, the work rough, but durable. 

Amongst others who carried work to old Eno's shop was Mary 
Clayton, a little blue-eyed, Titian-haired beauty, who lived several 
miles in the country. She often brought him work from her own and 
neighboring families. She was about ten years of age and would, 
child-like, sit down upon a three-legged stool to rest, and watch the 
old fellow while he worked. He evidently, probably from sympathy 
(for she was very poor), took a lively interest in her, and now and 
then he would reach up over his head and get an apple, cake, or stick 
of candy and give her, with a sort of gorilla-like smile, but he never 
uttered a word. This kind treatment and the good things (to which 
she was entirely unused), were sufficient attraction for her, and she 
sought occasion to do errands for the old cobbler as often as possible. 
She was the only human being he apparently ever noticed, but his 
taciturn, forbidding features would grow brighter at her coming. 

As time drove apace, this little girl grew into womanhood, more 
than fulfilling early promise in development of form and feature. 
Her apparel was of the cheapest, but her bright eyes, waving hair, 
fine figure and elastic step were the admiration of the town. She was 
now eighteen and a beauty. 

One day in the late autumn, the villagers were startled by the 
announcement that Mary Clayton and old Eno had married. This 
was only a day's wonder and created but a little ripple in the monot- 
onous round of village life. They at once moved into an old three- 
roomed gable roofed cottage at the other end of the lot. Here with 
his wax end, awl and hammer, Eno vigorously plied his vocation, 
whilst his pretty wife kept house and tended a little garden plot, which, 
with the approach of a smiling spring, seemed to augur happiness 
and comfort for this strange alliance of beauty and the beast, both 
seemingly unmindful of the outer world. 

The first sensation (their marriage), had been forgotten, only 
to give way to a more startling one — a tragedy. Eno learned that 
before his marriage his wife had had improper relations with her 
cousin, a groceryman by the name of Ford. His jealous rage knew 
no bounds, and he determined that her seducer should die. His idol 
was broken, his faith in humanity rudely shaken, and nothing but 
blood could atone for the wrong. He impressed his wife with the 



4fi Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

same feeling and, goaded to desperation, she sought Ford at his 
store, when alone, fired the fatal shot and emerged with a smoking 
pistol in hand — leaving her victim dying on the floor. 

She and Eno were at once arrested, imprisoned, and indicted 
for murder. 

In due course of the time she was tried separately, and sentenced 
lo imprisonment for ten years in the penitentiary. Her attorneys 
believing that when the facts were made known to the Governor, she 
would be quickly pardoned, made no motion for a new trial, but 
bent their efforts to secure executive clemency. Petitions were gotten 
up and signed by everybody, including the jurors and officers of the 
court, and forwarded to the Capital. The Civil War was then in 
progress and, in the excitement, the papers were pigeonholed, and Mrs. 
Eno languished in the penitentiary. 

Eno remained in jail, the courts in Kentucky having been ir- 
regularly held and but little business transacted, owing to the war. 
From term to term his case was continued. He frothed and foamed 
at the confinement like a madman, which he unquestionably was. 
Becoming outraged and impatient at the delay, which he attributed 
to n^lect of his lawyers, he sent for me one day, and went over his 
case. After talking a while he grew wild and in a tempest of rage 
clutched and strained at the iron bars of the window of his cell. My 
promise to assist him finally caused him to grow calmer. He told 
me that when he first learned of Ford's perfidy, he intended to end 
his blighted life by suicide and had written some lines to be found 
by his wife after his death. He handed me the paper and told me to 
read it after I left him. They showed the seeming monster had both 
pride and sentiment, and are as follows : 

"Oh ! cruel heart ere these posthumous papers 

Have met thine eyes, I shall be out of breath. 

Those eyes which burned like funeral tapers 

Have only lighted me the way to death. 

Perhaps you may extinguish them in vapor 

When I am gone and green grass covereth your lover, 

But it will be in vain ; 

It cannot bring the vital spark again. 

Oh I when thine eyes did burn so blue 

They seemed an omen that we must expect 

The fate of lovers ; and they boded true. 

For I am half a spirit now — a ghost elect, 

Just stopped before the tomb-stone steps 

That lead me to death's door. 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 49 

Beyond I go ; I know not, care not, where, 
To sleep eternal or to black despair. 
Plunging to death to Heaven I'll cry, 
'Man born of woman, must of woman die.' 
Alas! 'twould take a life to tell 
That one fond word — farewell — farewell !" 

After having been confined in jail for several years, the Sue 
Munday guerillas dashed into town one day and asked me if there 
were any prisoners in jail. I said "Yes, old Rufus is there, go and 
release him," which they promptly did. In a few minutes they dashed 
out of town taking Eno with them. He was dazed at his unexpected 
freedom and, if friends he had, he bade adieu to none. 

In 1865 just at the close of the war, I happened to be in Frank- 
fort and met G^lonel James Wood, and we called on Governor Bram- 
blette and talked to him about Mrs, Eno, When matters were ex- 
plained he said that the papers had escaped him, which he regretted, 
but that she would be free in that hour. He instructed the Secretary 
of State, to write out the pardon and take it to the prison personally. 

The Secretary of State, Colonel Wood, and myself, went at once 
to the prison, and when the pardon was handed to the Warden, he 
looked at the register, turned, and said : 

"Gentlemen, this woman has been released by a higher pov/er; 
she was buried yesterday." 

A JOKE ON SOUND MONEY. 

Everybody in Kentucky knows genial William (Bill) Yost. He 
distinguished himself as a Judge of the Superior Court and has an 
enviable reputation as a lawyer. While at Frankfort he visited the 
Feeble-Minded Institute. 

In 1896 the Judge canvassed Kentucky in the interest of sound 
money. Among other places, he appeared at Princeton and made a 
very telling and able speech. 

At its conclusion a young man came up to him and said : 

"How are you, Jedge?" 

The Judge kindly acknowledged the salutation, and the boy said : 

"Jedge, I don't believe you know me." 

The Judge admitted that he did not. 

"Why, Jedge, don't you remember I used to go to the 'Feeble- 
Minded.' They thought I had larn't enough to make a livin' and 
turned me out, and now I'm working down here close to town." 



50 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

The Judge immediately recognized him and expressed himself 
as being delighted to see him, whereat the young man exclaimed : 

"Well, Jedge, that was a fine speech you made. You and me and 
all the rest of us feeble-minded people is for sound money, hain't we?" 

POLICE COURT AT CRAB ORCHARD. 

Andrew J. Howell lived in Crab Orchard. He was a lawyer by 
profession, and, as the story will show, was possessed of some pecul- 
iarities. He was one of the most fearless of men, and had many 
"hairbreadth 'escapes.' " In appearance he bore a striking resem- 
blance to Daniel Webster. 

A tow-headed boy about ii years of age was on trial in the 
police court, charged with assault upon a washerwoman. Howell 
appeared for the prosecution. A jury having been impaneled, he 
arose to state the case. 

"Yer Honor," he said, "and gentlemen of the jury, the case you 
are about to try happened thusly: This here lady was a washin' 
clothes. This here gentleman was a settin' on the fence. Al' at 
wunst he flopped his arms and crowd like a chicking. Whereupon, 
this here lady objected to his conduct. He grew very angry, lipped 
from the fence and, with an oath, cast rocks, sticks, stones and various 
other items at this here lady, none of which struck her, but all of 
which terrified her to an alarmin' extent." 

"I'M A SETTIN.'* 

Some thirty years ago in central Kentucky a very large and 
fleshy man, David Jones, was elected justice of the peace. A con- 
stable, Joe P. Nave, was elected in the same district. 

In due course of time court day came around, and the Squire 

concluded to hold his court in the storehouse of his friend, Joe P . 

A number of the friends of the two officers, who held them in affec- 
tionate esteem, were assembled to see them start out on the road to 
distinction. 

There were no chairs in the store. Finally, Joe P rolled 

out a keg and sat it on end, telling the Spuire to "set" down, which 
request was complied with, the top of the keg being more than cov- 
ered by his immense proportions. Folding his hands across his pon- 
derous abdomen, with a look of pride and satisfaction, the Squire said : 

"Now, Joe, go to the door and tell the boys I'm a-settin." 

SHALLOW WATER. 

Judge Nuttall was Judge of the Bullitt circuit court. He was an 
amiable, absent minded man who did not notice surrounding circum- 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 51 

Stances and was sometimes imposed upon. He was induced to adjourn 
his court on circus day to see the elephant swim the river, and was 
astonished to see the animal wade across — the water not being over 
eighteen inches in depth. 

THE UNLETTERED MOTHER. 

Senator Bradley relates the follov/ing story connected with his 
experience while Governor of Kentucky. 

"An old woman, very poorly clad, came into my office and said : 
'Air you the Governor?'" 

"Yes, madam," I replied, "Will you take a seat and tell me the 
purpose of your visit?" 

" 'No,' she said, 'It is not for the likes of me, a poor mountain 
woman, to set down in these fine cheers. Mister Governor, a long- 
time ago I was married and many children cum to bless us, but 
finally my old man sickened and died and left us to struggle the best 
we knowed how. First one, and then another, of my children wus tuck 
from me until only one was left — my baby boy.' 

" 'We had sold ofT little patches of ground till we had only 50 
acres and a little cabin left. But pore as we wus and hard as we 
worked, we wus happy, fur that boy was the apple of my eye. I 
razed him the best I cud, but wus not able to give him any larnin.' 

" *Wun day a bad man cum along and got my boy to runnin' 
with him. I tried to stop it, but boys, you know, will be boys, and 
I couldn't do nuthin. Finally that man killed a man while my boy 
wus with him and run off, and they tuck my boy to jail and he wus 
tried an' sent to the pen for life. He wus then only fifteen years old, 
and he is now twenty-five.' 

" 'Fer ten long year he has been in them gloomy walls and I hain't 
never seed him. Durin' all that time there hain't ben a bad mark 
agin him. All that time. Mister, I hain't heerd the sound of his 
voice, except when I wus a-dreamin' in that little log cabin with no 
one with me but my God. All that time I have bin by myself, workin' 
out, hirin' in the neighborhood an' goin' home at night fur fear sum 
one would tak' whut little I had. Oh ! Mister, if you knowed how 
much I have suffered, I know you'd help me.' 

" 'Mister, you wunst had a boy an' he died. Everybody knows 
you loved him. How many times have you thought about him and 
wished for the sound of his voice and the sight of his face. How 
often in the night has he cum close, an' when you retched out to tech 
him — gone away? What yould you give to have him back? But 
you hain't suffer in' like me, fur your boy wa'n't disgraced.' 



52 Stories of lVUlia}}i O. Bradley. 

" 'I had no money to git a lawyer, an' so I have bin savin' up 
little by Httle, and at last I got a lawyer to fix up my papers, an' a 
line from the Judge an' the persecuting attorney an the jury; an' I 
tuck them papers and walked fifty miles till I retched the kars, an' 
then cum down here to fetch em, an' here they air. I've heerd that 
you wus good to the poor, an' I believe it. Mister, can't you please 
let me have my baby boy?' 

"Her face was wet with tears, but beaming with hope. Her 
simple and pathetic appeal caused me to weep also. I took the papers 
from her withered hand, examined them and found her statement 
true. It appeared to me that I could not grant the pardon quick 
enough. The indorsement was properly made, and the papers handed 
to the Secretary, who prepared the pardon, which was signed and 
the seal attached. I then handed it to her and had the Secretary go 
with her to the penitentiary. In a short while she returned with 
her son — a tall, manly looking fellow, to thank me. She was given 
money to pay her bill and to enable her to procure a conveyance to 
her home, the State paying her son's expenses, and she left on the 
afternoon train. I hope and trust she is now living happily with her 
baby boy in her humble cabin." 

AN INTENSE SILENCE. 

"I never knew a warmer-hearted old gentleman or a better, truer 
man, than the late Dennis Haley," said Senator Bradley, "Coming 
from Ireland to this country many years ago, he settled in Frankfort, 
Kentucky, and lived to a ripe old age. In all probability he had as 
many friends as any man in the State, and his death caused general 
sorrow throughout the Commonwealth. 

"He was a man of strong convictions, outspoken, yet kind. Among 
his friends there was probably none to whom he was more devoted, 
and whom he more extravagantly admired, than United States Senator 
William Lindsey, who lived in the same town. He frequently con- 
versed with me concerning him, and always admiringly and afl^ec- 
tionately alluded to him as 'Big Bill.' 

"He asked me if I heard 'Big Bill's' speech on the proposition 
to remove the Capital. I answered that I had not, but had frequently 
heard it highly commended. 

" 'Well, Sor,' said he, warming with the subject, 'I niver heard 
such a spache in me life. He was in fine trim an' I thought to meself 
whin he stood up to commince he was the finest specimen of manhood 
I iver seen. He spoke fur two hours and a half; he tould all about 
the law and the facts, and dwelt at large on the sympathy of his 



Stories of IViUiam O. Bradley. 53 

audience. I'll pledge you me honor, sor, that during the whole of 
that time there was the most intinse silence, and at any time during 
the delivery of the spache ye could hev dropped a pin on the floor.' " 

"GOOD-BYE, WORLD, AND HOWDY, HELL." 

Major Thomas W. Sawyer, an old time lawyer, resided in Bar- 
bourville, Kentucky. He was trying a case before a Harlan county 
jury, and introduced as a witness a man who had a wonderful shock 
of hair, immense beard, fierce mustache, eyebrows as large as a bird's 
wing, and hands almost black with hair. He was Sawyer's main 
reliance for success. 

The lawyer opposing Sawyer appreciated the importance of the 
witness' testimony, and did all he could to weaken it. He said many 
amusing things about the "wild man from Borneo," all of which 
greatly incensed Sawyer. 

It happened that the hirsute appendages of James Britton, who 
was on the jury, were about equal to those of the witness, of which 
fact Sawyer took advantage. 

When it came his time to speak, among other bright things he 
said, was : 

"Has it come to this, that because, forsooth, a man has an extra 
amount of hair he cannot tell the truth? I appeal to you, gentlemen, 
is a man to be condemned because God Almighty has seen fit to give 
him an extra amount of hair? 

"If this be true, then all I have to say, Jimmy Britton, is, you 
might as well say : 'Good-bye, world, and howdy, hell.' " 

MAKING OTHERS CONTENTED. 

An attorney of very limited ability inquired of Judge Owsley 
in the court room during motion hour: 
"What am I here for, anyway?" 
To which question the Judge promptly responded: 
"To make all the other lawyers satisfied with themselves." 

TWO KINDS OF FOOLS. 

Elder Powell, of Louisville, tells the following story: 
A loquacious man under the influence of liquor persisted in 
disturbing a Democratic convention by repeated efforts to speak. At 
length the chairman shouted, "Sit down, you infernal fool." 

"That may be true," observed the troublesome individual, "but I 
have the advantage of you. It is true that I am a fool on account 
of whiskey, for the time being, but you are a fool all the time by 
nature." 



54 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

THE MOVING OF THE SPIRIT. 

A good old Baptist brother in Pulaski county who was in the 
habit of taking a dram before each meal, meeting with a member of 
the same church, who had failed to do something which he thought 
he should have done, said : 

"Brother P , I am moved by the spirit to have a talk with 

you." 

"I have no doubt of it brother S , from the way your breath 

smells," said P . 

THE DEVIL IN HIS BREECHES. 

Owing to disturbances in a Kentucky country congregation, ser- 
vice had not been held in the church for some months. Finally, a 
good old preacher came along, to whose use of the church the warring 
factions agreed, and all turned out and attended the meeting. During 
the long period the church had not been used some yellow jackets had 
built a nest under the pulpit, the planks of which were loose and 
creaky. 

The pious old brother after preaching for some time warmed up 
and was harranguing in a loud voice as he pranced to and fro over 
the loose planks; This aroused the yellow jackets so that they came 
through the cracks, crawled up the legs of his pants and commenced 
stinging him. He frantically jerked up first one foot and then the 
other and exclaimed at the top of his voice: 

"My brethren, ah, I have the grace of God in my heart, but the 
devil is in my breeches." 

AN IMMATERIAL MISTAKE. 

John Smith, familiarly and affectionately called "Raccoon" Smith 
in the earlier days of Kentucky, was a noted Baptist minister possess- 
ing great ability and gifted with keen and incisive wit. He was an 
exceedingly awkward and ungainly man, unusually tall and thin. 

On one occasion while he was riding on horseback to preach at 
one of the country churches two young lawyers caught up with him, 
and, discovering that he was a preacher whom they thought exceed- 
ingly ignorant, undertook to guy him with questions. Said one of 
them : 

"Old man, do you ever make mistakes in preaching?" 

"Frequently," responded Brother Smith. 

"What do you say under such circumstances?" persisted his 
tormentor. 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 55 

"Well," replied Brother Smith, "when I see that I have made a 
material mistake I always correct it, but when it is immaterial I let 
it alone. I will illustrate. The other day I was preaching when, instead 
of declaiming in scriptural language that no liar could enter the king- 
dom, I declared that no lawyer could enter the kingdom of heaven. 
I saw I had used the wrong word, but, as the difference was immaterial, 
I made no correction." 

FORGETTING A SCRIPTURAL INJUNCTION. 

The same eccentric character was invited with two other preachers 
to take dinner with a member of the congregation near the church 
where a protracted meeting was being conducted. In those days it 
was not considered sinful for a preacher to drink an old fashioned 
tansy dram. Before going to the dining room a nice tansy dram was 
placed in front of the three preachers, and they were invited to partake. 

Brother Smith suggested that as thanks were always offered be- 
fore eating, he saw no reason why they should not be offered before 
drinking, and requested Brother Jones to offer thanks. Brother 
Jones and the other preacher closed their eyes while thanks were being 
returned, v/hereupon Brother Smith drained their two glasses. When 
the other two preachers opened their eyes, each of them expressed 
great surprise, when Brother Smith said: 

"Brothers, you have both forgotten the Scriptural injunction, 
that you must 'watch as well as pray.' " 

BAPTISM BY FORCE. 

A Presbyterian minister invited Brother Smith to witness the 
baptism of some infants. Smith did not believe in anything of the 
kind, but attended. After the ceremony was concluded he invited the 
Presbyterian minister, on the next Sunday, to witness a baptism to be 
administered by the former, which invitation was accepted. 

In accordance with his agreement, the brother attended the place 
on the bank of the creek. After Brother Smith had completed his 
good work he walked out on the bank, seized his Presbyterian brother 
and drew him to the creek, notwithstanding his earnest protest and 
frantic efforts to extricate himself. 

"Come right along," said Smith. "Last Sunday I saw you baptize 
a lot of little children, notwithstanding they squalled and resisted 
you, and now I am going to baptize you," and, suiting the action to 
the word, he submerged the visiting brother, singing as he came 
out of the water : 



56 Stories of JVilHam O. Bradley. 

"Amazing grace, How sweet the sound, 

That saved a wretch like me. 
I once was lost, but now am found — 

Was blind, but now I see!" 

AN OLD TIME SERMON. 

In the early days of Kentucky there lived a celebrated Methodist 
preacher by the name of Prater. He was a very corpulent man, weigh- 
ing over three hundred pounds, and always rode to his appointments 
on a mule. When seated in the saddle his person protruded over 
both ends and spread out on the mule each way. 

In those days it was quite common for services to be held in the 
houses of the earnest and working members. Among these was 
Granny Short, a good old sister of Madison county. An appoint- 
ment was made at her house for Brother Prater to preach and the 
neighbors had promptly gathered and anxiously awaited his coming. 
At length he rode up, dismounted from his faithful mule, threw 
the bridle over a fence post, and started up to the house, shak- 
ing hands with first one and then another. Finally, all entered the 
house and the good old brother, standing before a little table, com- 
menced his sermon. 

"My brethren and sistrin, I was delayed a little today because 
I arose with a severe backache which is still annoying me. Conse- 
quently, I cannot say what sort of a sermon I shall preach, though I 
once married a couple when I had the backache, and I never married 
a couple that succeeded better than them. I shall preach to you from 
a text somewhar between the lids of the Bible, the chapter and verse 
of which I am not able to name. It nms as follows : 'Like a crane or 
a swaller, so did I chatter. Oh, Lord, undertake Thou for me.' 

"Now, my beloved, you will see that there are two birds men- 
tioned in this chapter — vizard : a crane and a swaller. It is necessary 
to a proper understanding that we should look carefully into the 
habits of these fowls." 

By this time the old man had commenced warming up, his voice 
gradually increasing in volume. 

"A crane, my brethren, is a tall bird, with long legs and a long 
bill, and will reach down into the water and snatch a fish that another 
bird would never think of — ah! And a swaller, my brethren, is a 
little pestiferous bird that congregates in great numbers in the chim- 
neys and chatter, chatter, and flutter, flutter, causing the sut to fall 
and black all it teches, to the great annoyance of the good wimmen — 
ah ! These swallers are jest like the Campbellites — they will gather 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 57 

around a hole of water and chatter, chatter, and flutter, flutter, v;hile 
they are baptizin' one another, and the very next day they will not 
know the hole they were baptized in — ah !" 

THE PRACTICAL FIGHTER. 

Senator Ollie M. James says that Tom Jones, with a few friends, 
pro|X)sed to descend upon certain desperadoes and drive them from 
the county. When warned of the danger of his enterprise, he re- 
marked : 

"Never mind, you bet I'll take keer of myself. If we find thar air 
only a few of 'em we'll lick 'em ; but if we find 'em numerous well 
jine 'em." 

THE RESULT OF POLITICAL CHANGES. 

Senator James in responding to a speech of Mr. Bronston, whom 
he accused of being a Democratic bolter, said : 

"He reminds me of an old ferry boat that for many years plie<l 
the Ohio river back and forth from my home — it actually wore itself 
out in going from one side to the other." 

ALWAYS SEEING SMALL THINGS. 

Speaking of a member of the Lower House, Senator James re- 
marked : 

"I once heard of a man who lost an eye which v/as replaced with 
a cat's eye by a surgeon. The only trouble Avas that after he re- 
covered he was always looking for mice and crickets." 

WORSE THINGS THAN A CONVICT. 

A man was engaged to marry the daughter of a prosperous okl 
Kentucky farmer, and the father was horrified when, only a week 
before the anticipated nuptials, he was informed by his intended son- 
in-law that under no conditions could he carry out the contract. The 
father, of course, was enraged and demanded in vigorous langt!ri.c;c 
to know the reason. 

"Well," said the man, "it is not because I do not love your 
daughter, nor is it because she is not good enough for me — even too 
good, — but when I tell you my condition I know tliat you would not 
have the marriage consummated. I loved her so devotedly that I 
never told her, but now that the wedding is near at hand, common 
honesty demands, that I should speak out." 

"What the devil is the matter?" said the irate father. 

"Well," responded the unfortunate young man : "My father served 
a term in the Kentucky penitentiary for horse stealing." 



58 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

"Is that all?" remarked the old man. "Why, that amounts to 
nothing ; I served two terms in the Kentucky Legislature." 

KNEW LESS ABOUT MORE THINGS. 

There was a young attorney in a Kentucky town who had a 
smattering of learning about things generally, but no reliable knowl- 
edge on any one subject. He made an argument before the court 
fully demonstrating this characteristic. The attorney responding to 
his argument, said : 

"Why, your Honor, Mr. is a very, very, remarkable man. 

He knows less about more things than any lawyer I ever knev/." 

HOW TO PUT EARS ON A MULE. 

An old farmer in Shelby county, Kentucky, had a mare that gave 
birth to a mule colt vv'hich had no ears. Otherwise the mule was 
perfectly developed and very valuable, so he consulted w^ith a veter- 
inary surgeon in Louisville to know whether or not he could in any 
way supply the ears. The veterinary, after hanging his head in pro- 
found study, remarked : 

"Well my friend, I know of but one man in the United States 
who can do that job, and that is Billy Bryan. Considering the fact 
that he has three times made an ass of the Democratic party, it 
comes to me he might easily put ears on a mule." 

A FATAL STRAIN. 

Colonel Wm. G. Welch, of the Stanford bar, meeting an attor- 
ney from a neighboring town who had been a notorious sinner, 
inquired of him whether the report that he had recently joined the 
church was true, and, being answered in the affirmative, expressed 
his profound sorrow. 

"Why should you regret that I have changed my course and am 
trying to lead a better life?" said the attorney. 

"Oh," said W^elch, "of course that is not cause for regret, but what 
distresses me is, if you are saved the strain on the plan of salvation 
has been so great that it will be unable to give any relief to the 
other sinners in the world." 

WANTED HIS EXPENSES. 

Another anuising story concerning Colonel Welch is that on one 
occasion he met an old college chum whom he had not seen for years 
and who, in the meantime, had become a minister of the gospel. The 
preacher told Welch of his conversion and with tears in his eyes 
begged him to come and go to heaven with him. 



Stones of William O. Bradley. 59 

The Colonel, who was not distinguished for his piety, very po- 
litely replied: 

"AH right, G , I will go with you any where if you will 

only pay my expenses.'" 

THE "TARRIFIER." 

Colonel Welch was distinguished among many other things for 
especial ability as a cross-interrogator. He was a large man, very 
impressive in appearance, and exceedingly courageous. He had a 
devoted friend by the name of Bill Lattin, who had served with him 
in the Confederate Army. 

Several men were urging the merits of different lawyers ; one 
contended that his was the most artful pleader ; and another that his 
was the most successful practitioner; another that his was the most 
popular ; and another that his was the most learned lawyer. Lattin 
listened attentively to all they had to say, and then remarked : 

"Men, you may all think and talk as you please, but you are 
bound to admit that none of them are in it with Colonel Welch, when 
it comes to tarryfying a witness." 

BLIND WATTS AND THE LOST PAPERS. 

Blind Watts was a sort of half-v/ay preacher, who lived near 
Crab Orchard, Kentucky. He was a man of admitted courage, who, 
unfortunately, now and then, was involved in litigation. He had em- 
ployed Mr. Bobbitt to represent him in a case in the Lincoln circuit 
court. When the case was called, it was announced that the papers 
were lost or misplaced. Colonel Welch, who represented the plaintiff, 
insisted that Watts should be sworn, saying that he could establish 
by him the person who had taken the papers. 

Said Welch : "Mr. Watts, when court adjourned today, and you 
started down stairs with Mr. Bobbitt, did you not say to him that 
when this case should be called, the papers would be missing?" 

Watts promptly replied, "I did." 

"Well, sir," queried Welch, with a savage look and in a vigorous 
manner, "did you not mean that you would spirit away the papers?" 

"No, sir," replied Watts. 

"Then, what did you mean by that remark?" said Welch with 
great deliberation. 

Watts answered : "I meant, sir, that you would steal the papers." 

Welch, indignant and excited, roared out, "I am sorry that you 
are blind." 

"So am I," responded Watts as he nervously handled his cane. 



6o Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 

AFRAID HE WOULD RELEASE THE SECURITY. 

Colonel Welch related a most amusing story concerning his friend 
Jess Hooker, who was cashier of one of the Stanford banks. Welch 
was attorney for the bank and said that Hocker was one of the most 
watchful and best equipped bank officers he ever knew. 

Said he : "Above all things he is most particular about the bank 
taking any steps that would release a security. One day he rushed 
into my office and said : 'Jo^*" Jones wants to pay off his note which 
falls due today.' " 

"I replied : 'Well, that is all right, why do you hesitate to accept 
the money?' " 

" 'Well,' said Hocker, 'Colonel, I was afraid I might release the 
security.' " 

WELCH AND THE PREACHER. 

Colonel Welch was an atheist, a fact well known to all his ac- 
quaintances. In a celebrated will case a minister by the name of 
McElroy testified that he was satisfied testator was of sound mind 
because, on the day before, and a few days after the will was made, 
in a conversation with him, he clearly showed that he fully understood 
the plan of salvation. Said the Colonel : 

"Why, Mr. McElroy, are we not told in divine literature that tiie 
plan of salvation in so plain a way-faring man, though a fool, can 
not err therein?" 

"That is true," responded the preacher, "but you, with all your 
intelligence, have not been able to understand it, and I beg you to 
remember that the good book also says, that 'the fool hath said in 
his heart there is no God.' " 

PRAYER WITH A CONDITION. 

The following is one of Colonel Welch's best stories : 
"A good old Methodist of Lincoln county, Kentucky, had a most 
obdurate and sinful nephew. He had tried in vain to encourage liim 
to lead a better life and had even taken him in partnership with Www 

under the firm name of 'W & Nephew.' 

"The old gentleman was bald, and in cold weather, usually wore 
three handkerchiefs bound one over the other, around his head, in 
addition to a large wool hat. He was a most devout Christian, and 
took active part in all the revivals in his vicinity. One cold winter 
night, while a revival was in progress, he was called upon to pray. He- 
accepted, with great earnestness praying at considerable length, and 
at different intervals, as he grew warmer, unwrapping a handkerchief 
from his head until his bald pate shone like a halo. As he proceeded 



Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 6l 

his voice grew louder until it almost shook the rafters. Near the 
conclusion of his prayer, he begged in most piteous tones: 

" 'Oh, Lord, please turn my wicked nephew from his sinful ways. 
Please, please, oh. Lord, enable him to look into the blackness of 
his sinful heart. Oh, Lord ! take him by the nape of the neck and the 
seat of his breeches, and hold him over the roaring flames of hell — 
but please, oh. Lord, please, don't let him drap.' " 

NOT RESPONSPONSIBLE. 

In i860, there lived in Somerset, Kentucky, an eccentric young 
man by the name of Bobbit. He possessed a rare faculty for making 
extravagant comparisons, using big words and qualifying his nouns 
with a bewildering selection of adjectives. During the Presidential 
campaign in i860, Colonel Garrard spoke for Douglas in Somerset, 
and the crowd called Bobbit, who was for Breckinridge, to answer 
him. Mr. Bobbit said among other things : 

"Gentlemen, if Colonel Garrard were to live a thousand years, sit 
every night by his nocturnal luminary and have for his teacher the 
most distinguished, learned, ubiquitous and extraordinary scholars 
of the world, he would not at the end of that time know a thousandth 
part as much as I know now. Indeed, he is no more to be compared 
to me than the flickering, unsteady and uncertain light of a tallow 
candle is to be compared to the burning, blazing and devouring light 
of the great sun of day. He is no more to be compared to me than 
the smallest, most infmitesimal and disgusting, emaciated insect is to 
the great eagle that soars aloft and wets his pinions in the weeping 
clouds. He is no more to be compared to me than the most insigni- 
ficant, worthless and undiscernible mote that floats in the circum- 
ambient air is to be compared to that elephantostical, rhinostopostos- 
tical animal denominated the Behemoth." 

At this point Colonel Garrard arose amid roars of laughter and 
said : 

"I would like for the gentleman to explain himself — I do not 
understand him." 

Bobbit arose on tiptoe and replied with withering sarcasm : 

"My God, fellow citizens, am I to be held responsible for the 
gentleman's ignorance ? " 

This remark ended the debate. 

A FAIR CONVENTION. 

Mr. Bobbit removed to the Blue Grass portion of Kentucky and 
became a candidate for Congress. He was asked by another candi- 



62 Stories of IVUliatn O. Bradley. 

date whether or not he would abide the action of the Democratic 
convention. He promptly answered: 
"Yes, if it is a fair convention." 

Said the inquiring- candidate: "Mr. Bobbit, what do you call 
a fair convention?" 

He promptly answered : "It is a fair convention if it nominates 
me. 

This definition will doubtless prove good with many candidates. 

TOO MUCH NOISE. 

Some years ago there lived in Garrard county a good old Pres- 
byterian preacher by the name of Crowe. During a protracted meet- 
ing a brother was praying in a fog horn tone of voice that very 
greatly annoyed Brother Crowe. At length being unable longer to 
restrain himself, Brother Crowe shouted out to him : 

"Lower your voice, Brother Jones : the Lord hain't <leef, and 
hain't gone nowhar." 

SOMETHING COMMENDABLE IN EVERYBODY. 

A pious old sister of the Christian Church residing in Lancaster, 
Kentucky, always contended that there was something in everybody 
and everything, however bad, that might be commended. A brother 
of her faith disputed the proposition and, with an air of triumph, 
asked what there was in the devil that might be commended. The 
old sister hesitated a moment, and responded : 

"His perserverance and persistency." 

LONGER POCKET OR SHORTER PISTOL. 

A man was tried before Judge Randall in Rockcastle county, 
Kentucky, for stealing a pistol. The prosecuting witness stated that 
he saw the defendant buy the pistol from a stranger the day before and 
recognized it as his ; that the pistol was not missed from his house until 
a short while after the defendant paid him a visit a few days before, 
and, that when he claimed the pistol, the defendant disputed his owner- 
ship. The defendant proved by a man of questionable repute that 
he saw the defendant buy the pistol from a stranger the day before 
the claimant identified it as his. To the astonishment of not a few 
persons the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The Judge very 
heartily condemned the verdict, and then remarked to the defendant : 

"Young man, you are now discharged, but I advise you the next 
time you steal a pistol, steal a shorter one, or have a longer pocket." 



Stories of kVilliam O. Bradhy, tQ.. 

SORELY DISAPPOINTED. 

Many years ago there lived a rugged old farmer, known as Capt. 
Tom Cogar, on Kentucky River. He maintained a ferry at one of 
the numerous crossings. He was a man of unquestionable courage 
and despised all shams. At the same period there was a lawyer, 
Sam Lusk, living in that vicinity who was Judge of the circuit court, 
and very much such a man, in many respects, as was Captain Cogar. 
The two were warm friends and went together to Lexington in early 
days to see the first theatrical performance which was to occur in that 
city. The play was Richard the Third, and the two cronies seemed 
well pleased, especially at the death of Richard. As the curtain de- 
scended it caught, from some cause, about midway between the floor 
and ceiling, when Richard, supposing the curtain down, arose and 
walked off the stage. With a look of disgust plainly apparent in 
every lineament of his countenance, and with an air of keen disap- 
pointment, the old Captain said to his equally disgrunted companion: 

"Thar now, Sam, that derned feller wan't killed after all. Let's 
leave this blamed show," and the two friends arose and, arm in arm, 
but sorely disappointed, left the house. 

THOMPSON'S COLT. 

Having frequently heard the expression when a boy, "He's as 
big a fool as Thompson's colt," Senator Bradley asked one of his ot€S 
Pulaski county friends, what was its meaning. Whereupon, he 
explained : 

"There was a man named Thompson, who lived on the Cumber- 
land River, and he had a colt. One day the colt was very dry ami 
wanted a drink, so he went down to the river and swam across, arnt 
after he walked out on the bank, come back to the river and tuck a 
drink. In other words, he swum the river to git a drink of water." 

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WORSE. 

Thompson for forty years was night clerk at the Phoenix Hotel in 
Lexington, Kentucky. He was a kind-hearted old Christian gentle- 
man and, whatever happened, when informed of it, he invariabl}' 
observed, "Too bad, too bad ; but it might have been worse." 

One morning about four o'clock a bell-boy bounded into the hotel 
office with horror depicted on every feature, and exclaimed : 

"Mr. Thompson, that New York man jumped from the third 
story a few minutes ago and dashed out his brains on the pavement !" 

"Too bad, too bad;" said the imperturable Thompson, "but it 
misrht have been worse." 



4} Stories of IVillhm 0. Bradley. 

A drummer standing by, waiting- for the early morning train, 
remarked : 

"Well ! I would like to know in the name of all that is holy, how 
it could have been worse!" 

With perfect composure the old man turned to him, and replied : 

"Well, he might have fallen on some man n^alking along the 
pavement and killed him." 

A POWERFUL SERMON ON A PECULIAR TEXT. 

Reverend Peter Turnipseed — no one ever knew how he received 
his name — v/as a famous negro preacher in Kentucky several decades 
ago. He v/as a tall, ungainly man, black as Egyptian darkness, with 
hands as large as canvas hams, feet like baby coffins, and a voice like 
a fog horn. One beautiful summer day, he preached under the spread- 
ing limbs of an old elm tree to a large concourse of his people. 

"My brudder.s and sistahs" said he, "I am gwine fur to preach to 
you one uv my most famousest sarmints. 

"You will fine my tex sum whar betwixt the leds of the Bibel, 
zact pint not now recumembered. Hit reads as follus : — 'Wliarsumeb- 
l.>er de hen scraitcii dar she fine dc bug; also cept she pick him up an 
eat him.' 

"Now, my bruddahs and sistahs, you will desarve dar am two 
figgers uv speech in dis tex. De fust am de hen; de secon am de bug. 
Dar is no use in my 'splainin to you whut a hen is, fur dar is not a 
niggah under de soun ob ini voice who is not v/ell 'quainted v/id dat 
bird and does not know its 'culiarties, bof nite and day. spechuly in 
(ie nite. 

"As to de bug, my bruddahs, you all know what he is, and how 
many ob dem crawl on de groun. Dar is de June bug dat de chilluns 
lie by de laig an maks um fly. Dar am de lady bug, wich is so called, 
"cause she war a spotted coat and puts on ars. But I will not bodder 
you to tel all abowt de bugs 'cept to say dat uv all de bombilc bugs 
in de Viorl de wust am de humbug. 

"You will desarve from my tex dat de hen am doin' sunitin ; az 
uzal she am a scratchin' and not only am she a scratchin, but she am 
p-cratchin' in de groun — ah! An not only am she a scratchin in de 
groun-- ah ! but she am a scratchin for a bug — ah! An, my sistahs, 
she am sho to fine that bug 'cept she pic him up an eat him — ah ! 
In case ef she pic him up an eat him he is a goner and she cain't fine 
him — ah ! Dar-foah, ef de hen reely wants to fine de bug she mus be 
keerful not to pic 'im up an eat 'im, because ef she does she puts it 
outen her powah to fine him — ah ! 



Stories of Williittn O. Bradley. 65 

"Dis tex, my bruddahs, haz a powful meenin. It teachers dat it am 
de duty of ebbery man an wummin to scraitch in de groun fur a 
libbin — ah ! An as sho as God made littel apples, ef da ack de 
hog an eat things soon as da cum acrost um — ah ! da will nebber fine 
nuthin — ah ! De same may be sed ob deligion ; ef yo want it, you 
must scraitch, an keep on scraitchin till you fine it — ah 1 But ef you 
swallers down ebberyting you come acrost, you'll ruen yore digeschum 
an nebber fine enny thing — ah ! 

"In clushen, my beloved ! Let me sa yoo mus scraitch in de mornin, 
scraitch in de middel ub de da, scraitch as de sun am gwine doun, 
and scraitch ob an endurin' ob de nite — an keap on scraitchin an 
scraitchin til yoo fine deligeon — ah ! An when yu fine it yu will hab 
ebberyting dat is wuth enny ting in dis wurl an de nex — ^ah ! An 
now while de congregation sing dat good old hymn — 'Work fur de nite 
am cummin,' de invitashun iz lovinly throwed out fur awl dat want 
to scraitch fur delig.:on to cum forrard an scraitch, an scraitch while 
dey has de prars of de congration — ah." 

liRIVIN' 'EM ALL BEFORE HIM. 

In the early days of racing in Kentucky old man Searcy owned 
a race horse with the significant name of "Botherem." The horse 
won many races, but the old man forgot the increasing weight of 
years and insisted on entering it at the Crab Orchard races. He went 
with high hopes, never doubting that the faithful animal would win. 
As the horses came down the first quarter, "Botherem" was a little 
behind, but the old m.an never doubting the outcome, yelled out : 

"Hurrah for Botherem i" 

At the half-mile post Botherem had fallen considerably behind. 
but the old man yelled again. At the three-quarter post, "Botherem" 
vvas far in the rear, but nevertheless the old man yelled again, and 
v/hen the other horses were nearing the end of the last quarter, 
"Botherem" was so far in the rear that it was difficult to see him. 
However, Searcy, not the least discomfited, standing on tip toes and 
in a voice that could be heard by all present, yelled out: 

"Rise, my h — 1-roaring Botherem ! Yonder he comes, drivin' 'em 
all before him !" 

READY FOR THE BITE. 

Some friends in a Kentucky county were spending Sunday 
liilariously. Finally their liquor gave out, and one of the party went to 
a distillery about a mile away to replenish tlie jug. After having the 
jug filled he sat around and took several drinks until he was more 
than "half ?eas over," v.dien he started to return. On the way, finding 



66 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

himself unable to navigate farther, he sank down in the corner of a 
worm fence and was trying to refresh himself with a snooze, when a 
noise attracted his attention ; he opened his eyes and saw a large cop- 
perhead snake coiled near him, preparing to strike. With perfect 
composure, he exclaimed : 

"Strike ! strike ! you copper-colored son of a gun ; you could not 
have found me in better fix in a hundred years." 

AN UNFORTUNATE PROMPTER. 

"When I was a small boy," said Senator Bradley, "I visited my 
grandfather. He was an intelligent old man of extraordinary re- 
ligious prejudice, believing that heaven was made especially for the 
Methodists. Among other characteristics he was unfortunately en- 
dowed v/ith a very high temper. 

"He was strict and regular in family and church worship, and 
resided on his farm a short distance from old Gun's Chapel, one of 
the first churches erected in Kentucky. From this church he fre- 
quently brought preachers to his home and generously entertained 
them. 

"The old gentleman had two prayers which, without any change, 
he had delivered many years, one for family and the other for church 
worship. I had been at his home for about two weeks and had care- 
fully listened to his prayer until I knew it, word for word. 

"On the occasion to which I refer, he invited a preacher to spend 
the night with him, and when bed-time arrived he took down his old 
family Bible from the shelf, and with several members of his family 
surrounding him, my mother and myself, asked the preacher to con- 
duct family worship ; who, seating himself at the table, read a chapter, 
then called on my grandfather to lead us in prayer (rather unexpected 
by him). There was one expression in his prayer that had made a 
profound impression on my mind. It was this : 

" 'Oh, Lord, bless all thy Christian people all over the land ; yea, 
Lord, from the heads of the rivers to the ends of the earth.' 

"That night when he reached this portion of his prayer he forgot 
the latter part of the sentence and repeated the first part several times 
in a vain attempt to remember it. Being kindly disposed, I innocently 
concluded to assist him, so I spoke out — 'from the heads of the rivers 
to the ends of the earth.' 

"He sprang from his knees and came at me like a thunderbolt. I 
hastily retreated under the bed, and he pursued. My mother seeing 
the condition of affairs, opened the door at the foot of the bed and I 
made my escape. But that night I slept in the barn, and did not come 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 67 

to breakfast until I was assured by one of my grandfather's faithful 
slaves that he had forgiven me. It is perhaps unnecessary to add 
that I never undertook to prompt him again." 

SURPRISING DISCOVERY. 

Some years ago there lived in Lancaster, Kentucky, a very kind- 
hearted man — Sherman Haselden. He was gifted with a dry, matter- 
of-fact sort of wit, which was the source of much amusement to his 

friends. He had an old Aunt, Mrs. D , who was an exceedingly 

eccentric woman and an earnest church-goer. She was very poor 
and was supported by Haselden, who furnished her a home. Talking 
with her preacher one day she went on to say how good the Lord 
was to her. She said that he fed, clothed, and housed her in answer to 
her prayers, and she did not want for anything. Haselden was stand- 
ing by and heard her remark. Turning to a friend who was near him, 
he said : 

"I never have been so agreeably surprised. I never knew before 
that I was the Lord." 

A FAIR TRIAL. 

Charles Redd was a leading farmer of Rockcastle county. Three 
men had been indicted in that county for the murder of two scarlet 
women. The excitement against them was intense, so much so, that 
their attorneys dared not allow the trial to be had in that locality. 
Hence, they made a motion for a change of venue, and on that motion 
Mr. Redd was introduced as a witness. One of the attorneys, after 
having Mr. Redd state that he had lived in the county for many years 
and was well acquainted with the sentiment concerning the case, asked : 

"Mr. Redd, in your opinion can the defendants obtain a fair trial 
in this county?" 

To the consternation of the attorney Redd ansv/ered in the af- 
firmative. After recovering himself, the attorney queried : 

"Mr. Redd what do you call a fair trial?" 

To which the answer quickly came : 

"A trial that will result in all three of them being hanged." 

"PAUL AND PETAH." 

Two negroes in Frankfort, Kentucky, were recently discussing the 
scriptures. One of them said that "both Paul and Petah were niggahs." 
The other agreed as to Paul, but vigorously denied as to Peter. The 
first speaker then turned to the other and said : 

"You ignorant niggah, what do you know about de 'possels? 
V\o\y do you know Petah was not a niggah?" 



68 Stories of IViiliam O. Bradley. 

"Becoz," said the second speaker, "if Petah had been a niggah, 
(lat rooster would never have crowed but wunst." 

CRIPPLED GLADIATOR. 

Among the many distinguished lawyers of the Harrodsburg bar 
there has perhaps been no one more eminent than John G. Kyle. In 
his young days he was quite a florid and extravagant orator, which 
fact caused great merriment in the trial of his first case. It seems 
that an old tailor named Felix Matheny was one of a number of 
witnesses for the defendant, who was on trial charged with murder. 

Felix was an old man, bent and crippled, very small, and one 
of the humblest and most modest old creatures who ever lived, Kyle 
in referring to him, seeing him walk down the aisle, used this 
language : 

"And here comes Felix Matheny hobbling into court like a 
Roman gladiator, fresh from the scenes of carnage and blood." 

As the old man came walkiiig down the aisle during this flight 
every one present was convulsed with laughter. 

It is due to Mr. Kyle to say that after this he became one of the 
most accomplished orators who ever appeared before the Harrods- 
burg bar. This was only a boyish effusion, which, however, was 
always a source of merriment to him. 

LIBERTY YOCUM. 

Late in life Mr, Kyle delivered an argument in which he made 
a most amusing reference to a witness named Liberty Yocum. 

Yocum was an exceedingly long-faced, serious looking man, and 
talked with great deliberation, Mr, Kyle said : 

"And now gentlemen of the jury, I call your attention to the 
plaintiff's witness, Liberty Yocum. As soon as I heard his name 
uttered my mind went back to the Revolution, and I thought of that 
patriotic expression of Patrick Henry, 'Give me liberty, or give me 
death.' Imagine yourself lost on an exceedingly dark night in a 
lonesome swamp containing but one tree, and that a withered oak, 
whitened with age, from which all the boughs have long since fallen, 
while on its top an owl sits solemnly complaining to the night, — and 
you have the picture of Liberty Yocum." 

YOU'RE NO DEMOCRAT. 

No man in Kentucky had more intense convictions and more 

bravely gave expression to them than Colonel W. C. P. Breckinridge. 

When Mr. Bryan was nominated as the exponent of free silver, 



Stories of William 0. Bradley. 69 

the Colonel unhesitatingly announced that he would not support him, 
and vigorously took the stump in opposition to his election. 

During the campaign he addressed a large audience at Paris, mak- 
ing as he always did, a magnificent speech. During the address an 
intoxicated man arose, and, drawing a pistol, exclaimed in an excited 
and insulting manner: 

"You're no Democrat." 

Colonel Breckinridge turned upon him and retorted: 

"If to be a Deomcrat it is necessary to draw a pistol in the 
presence of ladies at a public meeting, then I am no Democrat.- 

"If to forget all the proprieties and decencies of life is an in- 
dication of Democracy, then, thank God, I am no Democrat." 

The audience was in hearty sympathy with the speaker, and a 
score of men yelled, "Take him out!" and made a rush upon the 
offending individual to put their purpose into execution. 

"Oh, do not take him out," Colonel Breckinridge exclaimed. "I 
implore you to desist. Let him remain near the fountain of knowledge, 
and possibly a single ray of light may pass athwart his darkened 
reason." 

The effect was electrical. Round after round of applause greeted 
the speaker, and his interlocutor, heartily ashamed of himself, retired 
voluntarily, a sadder and wiser man. 

WALKING WITH HIS HEAD. 

Some ten years ago a will case was on trial in the Fayette circuit 
court. Colonel W. C. P. Breckinridge representing the contestant, and 
Mr. Charles Bronston the propounders of the will. The fact that these 
two well-known attorneys were to cross swords, naturally drew a 
large crowd. 

The testator had a peculiar movement of his head, which never 
manifested itself except when he was walking. An attempt was made 
by expert testimony to prove that his mind was unsound by reason of 
disease, and that the peculiar movement of the head under the cir- 
cumstances mentioned, was strongly indicative of the presence of that 
disease. After proving by the v/itness that he was a physician skilled 
in mental diseases, and well acquainted with the deceased, Breckin- 
ridge asked : 

"Did you ever notice any peculiar movement of the testator when 
he was walking with his head?" 

The failure to accentuate the latter part of the question led Mr. 
Bronston quickly to ask Col. Breckinridge: 



70 Stories of IViUiam O. Bradley. 

"You surely do not mean to say that deceased walked with his 
head?" 

The question elicited much laughter, which, however, was quickly 
turned at Mr. Bronston's expense, when Col. Breckinridge responded : 

"Well, Mr. Bronston, you surely do not mean to intimate that he 
was walking without his head?" 

FIRST EFFORT OF MILES SCROGGINS. 

During the campaign of 1899, there was formed in Western 
Kentucky, a Republican club, among whose members was one Miles 
Scroggins. He was more than 50 years of age, noted for his droll wit 
and funny sayings, but had never attempted to make a speech. 

All the members of the club believed he could speak, if he would 
try, and frequently attempted to have him make the effort. 

It was finally determined to compel him to speak. So, upon the 
assembling of the club, he was called, and, declining to comply, the 
boys grabbed him and forcibly placed him upon a table, amidst the 
cheers of the crowd. To the astonishment of all he manifested great 
embarrassment, 'i'he crowd continued to yell, and finally he broke 
forth as follows : 

"Ladies and Gentlemen : Oh, I beg your pardon, there are no 
ladies present and d — d few gentlemen, if any." 

After this sally the curiosity of the crowd was satisfied, and no 
further effort was made to have Scroggins make a speech. 

TWO GOOD REASONS. 

Judge Owsley, of the Eighth Kentucky Circuit, was well ac- 
quainted with nearly every man, woman and child in his district. 
It was his custom to have all the witnesses present when a case was 
called so that there would be no unnecessary delay. One morning the 
parties announced ready for trial, and when the witnesses were called, 
all answered promptly save Jack Crawford, who was a close friend 
of the Judge and universally in attendance on the court. 

"Does any person here know a good reason why Jack Crawford 
is not present," asked the Judge of the other witnesses. 

No one answered ; the Judge again propounded the question, when 
Jack Patton one of the witnesses, replied: 

"Yes, Jedge, I think I know two good reasons why he is not here." 

"Well, what are they." asked the Judge. 

"One is." said Patton, "Jack died last night at ten o'clock, and 
the other is, when I left thar this mornin' at seven o'clock he was 
still dead." 



Stories of William O. Bradley. Ji 

ALL-SUFFICIENT MOTION. 

Judge George R. McKee, a brother of Colonel William McKee, 
of Mexican fame, and a nephew of Judge George Robertson, for 
many years practiced law in Lancaster, Kentucky. During a great 
portion of his time he was addicted to drink, and, when under the 
influence of liquor, was considered very dangerous. 

An old magistrate by the name of Schooler, an exceedingly 
honest and timid old man, lived near the town. At one of his courts 
he saw fit to decide a case against one of McKee's clients. McKee 
retired, loaded up with whiskey and a large bowie knife, and, coming 
back into court, verbally moved the Squire for a new trial. 

The Squire, intimating that he had some doubt as to whether it 
should be granted, McKee drew his knife, and, holding it aloft, said : 

"If you don't grant me a nev/ trial, d n you, I will hew you 

down like Samson hewed Agag in the Valley of Gilgal before tb.e 
Lord." 

After being thus threatened the old man fell back until he 
almost lost his balance in the chair, and replied in a voice scarcely 
audible : 

"George, the new trial air granted." 

MULLINS' FAMOUS SPEECH. 

Many years ago in a certain county bordering on the Kentucky 
River there lived a unique character by the name of Mullins. He 
was elected to the Legislature, and after his election went down to 
Frankfort on a boat called the Blue Wing, which at that time plied 
between Frankfort and points south and southeast. 

After having served one session of the Legislature, to his great 
edification, Mullins returned to his home and undertook to give to his 
admiring constituents an account of his stewardship. While not as 
eloquent as Clay, nor yet as erudite or elegant as Webster, he possess- 
ed a sonorous voice, accompanied with great oratory, which made 
him famous for miles around. Court day arrived. He mounted the 
stand and among other things said : 

"Feller Citizens : When you elected me to the Legislature I wished 
that I mout have the tallest pine tree that growed in the mountings, 
so that I might strip the limbs from same and make it into an enor- 
mous pen, and dip it in the waters of the Kaintuck River and write 
acrost the clouds, 'God bless the people of County.' 

"Arter you elected me I went down to Frankfort on the Blue 
Wing, and as we wended our winding sinuosities amidst its laby- 
rinthian meanderings, the birdlets, the batlets, and the owlets flew 



12 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

outen their secret hidin' places and cried out to me in loud voices : 
'Sail on, Mullins, thou proud defender of thy country's liberties.' 

"When I reached Frankfort, I went up into the Legislatur hall 
and thar spied many purty perlicues a hangin' on the ceiling to pay 
for which you had been shamefully robbed by unjest taxation. When 
matters of small importance were before the body I lay like a bull 
pup a-baskin in the sunshine, with a blue-bottled fly a-ticklin' of his 
nose; but when matters of great importance come up I riz from my 
seat, like the Numidian lion of the desert, shuck the dew drops from 
my mane, and gave three shrill shrieks for liberty." 

DELICATE WAY OF PUTTING IT. 

But few Kentuckians ever reached or deserved greater promi- 
nence for legal ability than the brothers John and Philip B. Thompson, 
Sr. They lived in Harrodsburg for many years, the former having 
been Lieutenant-Governor and United States Senator, the latter 
Commonwealth's Attorney. While they were devoted brothers, they 
took liberties with each other which Vvould not have been allowed 
by either to a stranger. 

The Senator, who had been employed in a case, could not obtain 
the papers, and the only thing he could learn was that his brother 
had taken them out of the office ; so he arose in open court and re- 
quested his brother to return the papers. The brother, with an as- 
sumed air of injured innocence, denied having the papers, and said: 

"Brother John, you surely do not mean to accuse me of stealing 
the papers." 

"Oh, no," responded the Senator, "under no cimcumstances would 
I accuse you, brother Phil, of stealing; but I will say I believe that 
you, like old Bluford Wickersham, would bust your galluses reaching 
for things that did not belong to you." 

THE JUMP-TAIL JOSIE. 

Governor Thompson did not marry until far advanced in years. 
His wife was a most excellent Christian woman. At that time the 
ladies were wearing very short dresses. The Governor, in address- 
ing a jury, said : 

"I have no religion, and never will have. My only hope is to 
reach heaven on judgment day by hanging to the skirts of my wife ; 
but if she should have on one of these jump-tail josic skirts, and I 
should grab for it and miss it, to hell I'd go without the slightest 
doubt." 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 73 

"I'M BOUND TO TALK ABOUT HIM." 

Judge W. C. Goodloe was for several terms judge in the Madison 
circuit district of Kentucky. He finally removed to Lexington, where 
he died. 

He was a famous judge, regarded as one of the ablest the State 
ever produced. His knowledge of law was varied and profound. 
However, he was no speaker. He made many desperate efforts, but 
finally, came to the conclusion that he was not, and never could 
become, an orator. 

When quite a young lawyer he was employed to defend a man 
charged with murder. Knowing that his client would be held over 
and indicted, he took copious notes for the purpose of preparing an 
elaborate speech to be delivered on the final trial. The principal wit- 
ness against his client bore the euphonious name of Williford Wilkins. 

In the course of his prepared speech he set himself assiduously 
at work to explain away the damaging testimony of this witness. 

In due course of time his client was indicted and the case called 
for trial. Several days were consumed in reaching the argument. 
Wilkins, hov/ever, died before the finding of the indictment, a cir- 
cumstance which led to the acquittal of the Judge's client. 

When the time came for Goodloe to speak he arose with consider- 
able pertubation and launched into his subject. He had spoken hut a 
short time v/hen he announced to the astonished court and jury that :i 
certain statement made by the witness Wilkins was not true. The court 
reminded him that no such witness had testified. The Judge bowed 
profoundly, acknowledged his mistake, and continued his speech. 

In a short while he again referred to the testimony of Wilkins. 
when he was again reminded that Wilkins was not a witness. The 
Judge v/as now red in the face and was evidently much embarrassed. 
However, he at length recovered himself and again resumed the thread 
of his discourse. 

Finaly raising himself on tiptoe, in a ringing voice he exclaimed : 

"I would not hang a sheep-killing dog on the testimony of Willi- 
ford Wilkins!" 

There was a shout of laughter in the court room, and the court 
again reminded Mr. Goodloe that no such witness had testified. 

The Judge was all confusion, but snatching up his manuscript, 
in a determined and desperate way, he exclaimed : 

"Judge, he's in my speech and I'm bound to talk about hini." 



74 Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 

UNCERTAIN OF THE DATE. 

"Uncle Johnny Kidd was one of Garrard county's best citizens," 
said Senator Bradley. "He was exceedingly conscientious and truth- 
ful, as well as cautious in his statements. Having an action of eject- 
ment in which a corner was in contest, the marked tree having dis- 
appeared, and Uncle Johnny being a man advanced in years, he be- 
came important as a witness to locate the corner." 

"After he had stated his name and residence, he was asked : 
" 'Uncle Johnny, how old are you?' 

" 'Well,' said he, 'Billy, I is somewhat in doubt. I don't know 
adzacl<ly how old I am.' 

" 'Well, Uncle Johnny,' asked I, 'In what year v/ere you born?' 

"He responded, 'Really, I can't tell except to say that I were born 
in eighteen hundred and thirteen, or thirteen hundred and eighteen, 
I can't say which.' " 

EXBORBITANT DOCTOR FEES. 

justice Miller, of the Supreme Court, before he read law lived 
in Richmond, Kentucky, where he practiced medicine and bore the 
reputation of being a good doctor. He presented an account to an 
old neighbor for payment. The bill, among other items, contained 
three visits at $r.oo each. His neighbor seriously objected to this 
charge. 

"Now, doctor, you ought to be ashamed to charge me for them 
visits when you know that my family returned every one of 'em." 

The same patient presented himself afterward to have a tooth 
pulled. In this the Judge was an expert and drew the aching molar 
in a minute. For his services he charged $i.oo. The patient denounced 
the charge as exorbitant. 

"Why, doctor, you pulled that tooth in a minute and now want 
a dollar, when old Dr. Sternberg pulled on one for me for an hour 
last fall, and pulled me all over the floor, and only charged me fifty 
cents." 

THE COUNTRY GONE TO H— L. 

"Among my Democratic friends in Garrard county, Kentucky," 
said Senator Bradley, "was a large, fine-looking man by the name 
of Bill Comly. After I had made a political speech in which, among 
other things, I attempted to convince the audience that times were 
prosperous, for which the Republican party was entitled to the credit, 
he •ame into my office and attempted to correct my error. He had a 
wise way of turning his head to one side and assuming an important 
look, like a clucking hen that had found a worm. 



Stones of William O. Bradley. 75 

" 'Bill, you are all wrong,' said he. 'Now, jest think of it, a few 
years ago I used to ride up to John Huffman's tavern and they'd ring 
the bell and take my fine saddle horse to the stable. I'd go in and 
we'd send out and get Henry Bruce and Charlie Gallagher, and when 
they came, old John and myself would set down with them and play 
poker till dinner'd come up in a tray. We'd stop and eat and then 
go on and play. 

" 'We could have every thing that we wanted to drink and would 
play 'till the sun had mighty nigh set. Then I'd git up an' go down 
an' pay my bill like a gentleman, mount my boss an' go home with a 
full stumick and a full pocket. 

" 'But now, how is it? I start from home ridin a switch-tailed 
filly. When I retch town I hitch her in a back alley, where she gits 
nothin but fence rails to eat, go and git five cents wuth of cheese 
and crackers for my dinner, loaf around town like a beggar, for I 
can't have a game, for old John, Charlie and Henry is all dead, and 
no one left to take their places. I can't git a drink because local 
option's come to town, unless I git a perscription an hide behind a 
door. Night comes on, I mount my filly, go home with a sad heart 
and an empty stumick, an narry a dinged dollar in my pocket. I 
tell you, my friend, the country's gone to h — 1.' " 

REPROOF OF A BULLY. 

In 1873, Justice John M. Harlan was a candidate for Governor 
of Kentucky and came to Lancaster to speak. He had been speaking 
but a few moments when a drunken bully commenced interrupting 
him. This he continued for some time, unnoticed, but at length Harlan 
grew tired of it, and turning to him, said : 

"My friend I have been trying to place you for some time and 
have at length succeeded. You are the same man who followed a 
wagon three days to see when the hind wheels would catch up with 
the fore ones. This being true it would be cruel of me to lose my 
temper by reason of your interruption." 

SENATOR BLACKBURN'S RETORT. 

In the celebrated case of Commonwealth against Philip B. Thomp- 
son and his three sons for the killing of Theodore Davis and his two 
sons, a very amusing episode occurred between Senator Blackburn 
and Governor Bramlette. Some question arose concerning the com- 
petency of testimony, Mr, Blackburn objecting. 

Governor Bramlette took the floor, he then being connected with 
the Louisville Law School, and after arguing that the testimony was 



76 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

competent, expressed his sincere sympathy for Mr. Blackburn, because 
of his want of knowledge of the law. 

"If you will come to my school," he continued, "I will try to 
teach you at least its rudimentary principles." 

"I have no doubt that you are a most faithful teacher," Blackburn 
quickly retorted. "Indeed, I am satisfied that by reason of your 
desire to inform others you have parted with the last atom of legal 
knowledge that you ever possessed, and left yourself hopelessly ignor- 
ant in your old age." 

A PRICELESS DRINK. 

Senator Blackburn was telling a friend about a trip that he took 
some years ago over one of the western plains. He said : 

"I was accompanied by an Indian who in some v/ay found out 
that I had some whiskey. He begged me for a drink, time and again. 
He first offered his gim for a drink, which I declined. He then of- 
fered his bridle and saddle, which were likewise refused. He then 
offered me his clothes, gim, saddle, bridle and horse ; but I refused 
to accept them." 

At this point the friend said : 

"Why, Joe, what on earth is the reason you refused all tiiat 
property for a drink?" 

"Great God, man," said Joe, "I had but one drink left, and all 
the money in the world would not have bought it." 

TWO DETECTIVES. 

Many years ago Senator Beck and Senator Blackburn, the latter 
then a member of the lower House of Congress, Vvcre asked by a 
Kentucky friend to go with him to his room and sample a jug of 
McBrayer whiskey. The invitation was acceptt;il, and after they had 
each taken a drink. Senator Beck said : 

"That is splendid whiskey, but has a strong taste of iron in it." 

"Impossible," said his friend, "there is no iron in the water of 
Anderson county, and the contents of this jug were taken from a 
barrel. What do you say, Blackburn?" 

"Well," said Blackburn, "I do not care so much for the iron taste 
as I do for the taste of leather in the whiskey." 

The friend again exclaimed : 

"It is impossible that there should be any taste of leather in that 
barrel of whiskey." 

On his return to Kentucky the nmtual friend went to Mr. Mc- 
Brayer and insisted that all the whiskey should be taken out of the 



Stories of IVilliam 0. Bradley. 77 

barrel and a critical examination made of its contents. To his 
astonishment he found one small piece of leather attached to a carpet 

DEATH PREFERRED TO HEARING A SPEECH. 

The following story is told on Senator Blackburn, which he 
denies. However, it is too good to be lost. 

Many years ago a man was to be hanged in Owen county. The 
Senator was a candidate for Congress, and, knowing there would be 
a large crowd present on the occasion, concluded he would go and 
see the people and if possible make a speech. He secured a seat near 
the gallows. The Sheriff escorted the condemned man to the proper 
place and notified him he would be given ten minutes in which to 
say anything he chose. The man said he did not care to say any- 
thing. Mr. Blackburn sprang to his feet and said: 

"If the gentleman does not desire to speak I would be glad if 
he would yield his time to me so that I may speak on the tariff." 

"Hang me ! Hang me !" shouted the condemned man. "I would 
rather die than hear Joe Blackburn make a speech on the tariff," 

A DANGEROUS WEAPON. 

All who have the pleasure of knowing Senator Blackburn have 
noticed his large, clear-cut jaw. 

He and Ed Marshall were once opposing candidates for a Con- 
gressional nomination. The campaign was one of the most famous 
ever pulled off in Kentucky, each candidate well sustaining his repu- 
tation. At one of the meetings Marshall said : 

"Fellov/ citizens, look at that jaw," (pointing to his competitor) ; 
"Why, Samson slev,- a thousand Philistines with a thing just like that." 

QUIETING A HOODLUM. 

Tom Marshall in his palmy days was invited to Buffalo to speak. 
An immense crov/d v/as present, but before he had spoken two minutes, 
a drunken man in the audience yelled "Louder !" and repeated his 
exclamation several times to the intense annoyance of Marshall. 
Finally, Tom, pointing his finger at the oft'ender, exclaimed : 
"Fellow citizens, when the last great day shall come and the 
Angel of the Lord, with one foot on the land and one on the sea, shall 
sound out in trumpet notes : 'Time is, time was, but shall be no 

more,' there will be a d n fool there from Buffalo, shouting 

'Louder ! Louder !' " 



78 Stories of WiUiain O. Bradley. 

THE USE OF JAW-BREAKERS. 

There formerly lived in Kentucky a lawyer of high character 
and great ability, whose only failing was the use of jaw-breaking 
words and, occasionally, Latin sentences. He drew a mortgage on 
a growing crop and any other crop that might be thereafter grown 
upon the land, for the payment of a lien note. The first crop was 
subjected, and he brought suit to sell the second. A demurrer was 
filed to the petition on the ground that the property which he was 
attempting to subject, did not, at the date of the mortgage. 
have a potential existence. Judge Owsley indicated that his mind 
was made up adversely to the attorney, but requested him to pro- 
ceed with his argument. 

The lawyer arose and in a dignified way cited a case referred 
to by Chitty, where a mortgage executed upon the whale's oil, which 
might result from an anticipated expedition, was enforced. Then 
turning to the court, he exclaimed: 

"So it is, Your Honor, the British courts, world-famed for their 
learning, held that a mortgage upon the oil of the great whale, that 
mighty leviathan of tlie deep, as he wended his winding way amidst its 
labyrinthian passages, was a good mortgage." 

The Judge immediately sustained the demurer, and this gem of 
oratory, like many others proved abortive. However, it is now rescued 
from threatened obscurity and perpetuated in book form. 

INDECENT EXPOSURE CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE. 

Judge Toney, an accomplished lawyer and jurist, rendered the 
following opinion as judge of the circuit court of Jefferson county, 
Kentucky, in the case of Nick Gosson vs. John Bickel: 

"This case comes out on demurrer to the petition. The plain- 
tiff alleges that 'the defendant employed him to sprinkle paris green 
on his potato-vines to kill ladybugs, without warning plaintiff that 
the paris-green mixture was poisonous ; that the weather was hot, 
and he, the said plaintiff, left his clothes open, and that the flesh of 
the exposed portions, coming in contact with said paris green, was 
poisoned, and that he was thereby made sore and caused to suffer 
for many weeks in body and mind, etc. ; all through the gross care- 
lessness and negligence of defendant in failing to give him notice 
as aforesaid :' 

"The demurrer must be sustained for the following reasons : 
I. "The plaintiff had no right, in foro conscientiae or foro externo, 

to make an indecent exposure of his person while engaged in 

killing ladybugs; 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 79 

2. "The defendant exceeded the scope of his employment in sprink- 

ling pans green elsewhere than on the potato-vines, as his ex- 
clusive agency was to kill ladybugs basking in the shade of 
said vines ; 

3. "The plaintiff's act in allowing the defendant's paris green to 

come in contact with his flesh, instead of with the flesh of the 
ladybugs, was unauthorized and ultra vires; 

4. "The mental and physical suffering of which the plaintiff com- 

plains was the result of his own wrong in applying the defend- 
ant's paris green to purposes other than those for which he was 
employed to apply it ; and besides is damnum absque injuria. 

5. "The plaintiff, in opening his clothes and exposing himself to the 

ladybugs and the paris green, was guilty of contributory negli- 
gence. 

6. "The plaintiff knew as well as the defendant that paris green 

was poisonous, and if he did not know it this suit should not 
have been brought in his name, but by a committee appointed to 
represent him." 

UNWILLING TO GO TO HELL FOR TEN DOLLARS. 

In Danville, Kentucky, there lived for many years John Peter 
Torrell, a Frenchman, who was possessed of wonderful wit. For a 
long time he was a boot and shoe maker, but finally became a hotel 
keeper. Time and again he ran for office, insisting that the people 
of Boyle county should elect him to show their gratitude to LaFayette, 
his great and good countryman who had rendered such signal service 
in procuring their independence, but from sheer lack of gratitude or 
shameful failure to appreciate the candidate's many excellent qualities, 
the people permitted his invariable defeat. During the Civil War he 
made a pair of boots, for which he charged ten dollars, for a young 
man who failed to pay for them, and who volunteered in the Union 
Army and was killed. 

After the war ended he presented the account to the father of 
the young man for payment. The old gentleman was a very gmff 
and insulting man. Said he, to Torrell : 

"Did I buy these boots?" 

Torrell answered in the negative. 

"Who bought them?" asked the old man. 

"Your son," answered Torrell. 

"Then go to my son for the money," said the unfeeling father. 

Torrell, in the most excited manner, responded : 

"Do you think I am d — d fool enough to go to hell for ten 
dollars?" 



So Storit-s of lVUlia>ii O. Bradley. 

DREAD OF LAWYERS. 

A distinguished and eccentric preacher wh.o was highly preju- 
diced against lawyers, concluded one of his prayers as follows : 

"Oh, Lord, give us a home, 'not made with hands, eternal in the 
Heavens.' In doing this we pray thee, O Lord, to he exceedingly 
cautious to make us such a clear and unencumbered title that all the 
lawyers in hell cannot pick a flaw in it." 

HARD TO SATISFY. 

Captain Phil. Tiiompson. of the Ilarrodsburg bar, was one of the 
ablest criminal lawyers who ever lived in Kentucky, and was a most 
agreeable and genial gentleman. He was defending a man for mur- 
der in Washington county, and being asked by a visiting attorney 
what would be the probable outcome, answered : 

"Well, I tried him once and the jury found iiim guilty of man- 
slaughter, and fixed his punishment at four years in the penitentiary ; 
I obtained a new trial, he was again convicted and his punishment 
fixed at ten years in the penitentiary. Being refused a new trial I 
prayed an appeal, reversed the judgment and am now in the midst 
of a third trial, and I shall never rest until I send him to the peniten- 
tiary for life or hang him." 

However, on the third trial he succeeded in acquitting liis client. 

A SUFFICIENT REMINDER. 

Shortly after the Civil War, in the Anderson circuit court, ati 
ex-Confederate soldier was indicted for stealing some cattle, when 
Capt. Phil Thompson, who had been himself a Confederate soldier, 
defended him. By a little "sleight of hand" the Captain secured a 
jury on which were seven ex-Confederates. Jim Morris, Common- 
wealth's Attorney, and Tom Bell prosecuted. Bel! spoke first and 
pictured the defendant as the worst of criminals. The Captain's 
speech was short. He spoke of his client being without work, in 
hard lines, and with a large, hungry family, admitted his guilt, but 
declared it was for the purpose of procuring food for his little chil- 
dren. He dramatically turned to one of the jury and said : 

"Tom Turner, when you started South to fight for the cause we 
all loved so well, you stole a roan horse from your Uncle Will." 

Then, stepping up to the jury, in a voice scarcely audible, but ex- 
ceedingly pathetic, he told of the other six jurymen stealing horses 
when they raided Kentucky and were fleeing from the enemy. Then 
stepping back he folded his arms and looking toward Heaven ex- 
claimed: "Let him M'ho is without sin cast the first stone!" 



Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 8i 

The jury retired and in five minutes returned the following 
verdict : 

"We the jury find the defendant not guilty, but advise him to be 
careful in the future. 

TOM TURNER, Foreman.." 

PINKSTON'S PUP. 

Senator Bradley once visited a high official dignitary. He had 
known the gentleman intimately for many years before he v/as elevated 
to office and had always found him an exceedingly genial man. 
Imagine, therefore, his astonishment when he was greeted in a cold 
and informal manner that well nigh froze the marrow in his bones. 
Of course, he v-zas not only mortified, but offended, as well. 

In speaking of the occurrence to a friend, after telling him of the 
treatment he had received, lie said tliat the official reminded him 
of "Pinkston's Pup," and being asked to state why, he said : 

"One of the characters of Madison county, Kentucky, was Wyatt 
Pinkston. He was a great judge of dogs, a worthless vagabond, but 
shrewd and quick, and made a living by his wits. He was frequently 
in court, and many of his bright sayings have been treasured up by 
those who knew him best. One of his remarkable performances was 
his testimony in the case of old Colonel T , who had sued Cap- 
tain L for damages because of the killing of a favorite hound. 

"Pinkston v/as introduced by the defendant as an expert to prove 
the value and character of the animal. After having stated that he 
was a judge of dogs, had great experience, had dealt in them for 
years, owned a great many, had hunted foxes, rabbits, coons, &c, &c., 
and had been a dog trainer of established reputation for many years, 
he was asked to state whether he knew the dog in dispute, and his 
value and character. 

" 'Well,' with deliberate emphasis, he answered, 'I reckon I do. 
I've knowd that dog since he war a pup. After he had retched full 
doghood he war the proudest thing I eved seed. He had a mighty 
purty tail, and no dog ever knowed it better. It curled over his back 
like a wheel-rim. He war all the time a playin' with it and a tryin' 
to put on style. He didn't think thar war any other dog in the county. 

" 'Well, he commenced a curling liis tail and he curled it tighter 
and tighter until he got it curled so tight he could not get his hind 
legs on the ground. He had not got over this thing entirely when 
he war killed and he war as no account, worthless a hound as I ever 
seed. He warnt worth a cut nine-pence.' 



82 Stories of Williom O. Bradley. 

"I fear my friend has been playing pranks like Tinkston's Pup'. 
He has reached an altitude that I cannot hope to attain, and will soon 
be unable to put his hind legs on the ground," said the Senator. 

A CROSS-EYED BIRD. 

McKee Fox was a very brilliant attorney of the Pulaski county, 
Kentucky, bar. While he was engaged in defending a man charged 
with a crime, the Prosecuting Attorney, who feared the influence of 
the defendant, was earnestly engaged in attempting to escape its 
effect. 

He cautioned the jury to remember the eagle in the storm, say- 
ing that they should imitate him. He described the eagle as battling 
with the winds, until finally rising above them, with one eye toward 
the sun and the other toward the earth, he sailed on, oblivious of 
all that was beneath him. 

"My Lord, what a cross-eyed bird !" remarked Fox aloud in 
the midst of this oratorical flight. 

Of course, this destroyed the effect of the speech. 

HIS TWO WORST ENEMIES. 

Mr. VanWinkle, who was, for some reason, very much disliked 
by Judge Fox, the father of McKee Fox, filed a demurrer. The Judge 
had a great horror of demurrers because in his young days they had 
frequently proven fatal to him. When VanWinkle arose to discuss it. 
McKee remarked "sotto voce" to some of the members of the bar : 

"There, now. I feel sorry for father. He is confronted by his 
two worst enemies, John VanWinkle and a demurrer." 

A FAMOUS DISPATCH. 

Among the numerous lawyers who have belonged to the Lan- 
caster bar, was Henry T. Noel. At the date of the famous dispatch 
hereafter mentioned, he would every now and then take a spree last- 
ing as much as a week, though in later years he became a very sedate 
and sober man. When in his cups he overflowed with good nature 
and said many amusing things. Whilst on one of his periodical 
sprees he started out to visit different towns and have a good time. 
He first went to Danville, about twelve miles distant, next to Har- 
rodsburg, about ten miles from Danville, next to Lawrenceburg, about 
twenty miles from Harrodsburg, then to Frankfort, about twenty 
miles from Lawrenceburg. 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 83 

At Frankfort his money gave out, and he was unable to pay 
expenses to his home. Under these circumstances he sent his good 
wife the following dispatch : 

"Please send horse and buggy for me to Danville, Harrodsburg, 
Lawrenceburg, or Frankfort." 

PATHOS SPOILED. 

Ben Lee Hardin, a local lawyer and wit of Harrodsburg, tells 
a story at the expense of his brother Charles, who was a most ex- 
cellent lawyer, and who, in his younger days, was given at times to 
florid oratory. 

He was arguing for the plaintiffs, two women in a damage case, 
against some ruflFians who had burned their house to the ground 
during a severe winter. 

Said he : — "Gentlemen of the jury : These poor helpless and 
defenseless women were driven out of their humble home into the 
darkness of the night. Not only driven out into the darkness, but 
driven out in a cold, bitter December night in tb.e month of January." 

AN "INTERRUPTIOUS'' OLD DADDY. 

Wm. B. Moore, of Somerset, Ky., was a great v/it and a ready 
speaker. He read no books, and did not apply himself in any way, 
but nevertheless now and then astonished the best lawyers with some 
unique defense. Attorney-General James and Major Bradley in- 
stituted an action for breach of promise for a very deserving young 
lady against a wealthy young man in the Pulaski circuit court. They 
expected a large verdict in the case. 

When Moore filed an answer they retired to the jury room to 
examine it, and found it to be in these words : 

"The defendant admits that he promised to marry the plaintitl 
at the time and place mentioned in the petition, and this he says he 
would have done but for the intermeddling of that interruptious old 
rascal, her daddy. He is ready, willing, able and anxious to carry out 
the contract, and hereby offers to discharge same and tenders himself 
in open court for that purpose." 

The result was that the couple were married, and the attorneys 
for plaintiff recovered no fee. 

A MEEK ATTORNEY. 

The Judge of the Pulaski circuit court, Thomas Bramlette, won 
great distinction on the bench, was a gallant Union Colonel, and, later 



B't Stories of IVilliain O. Bradley. 

in life, was Governor of Kentucky. He was an exceedingly high 
tempered, irascible, and. at times, a tyrannical Judge. 

Colonel Sherrod Williams, who was practicing law at Somerset, 
had at one time practiced in Louisville, and was much in the habit, 
when arguing a case before Judge Bramlette, of referring to some 
case as having been decided by the Louisville chancery court. This 
always riled the Judge and caused him frequently to remark that he 
was not bound by the decisions of that court. 

One morning he overruled a motion of Col. Williams for a new 
trial, in which motion Williams had referred to a decision of the 
Louisville chancery court. Williams rose to his feet and said to 
the clerk : 

"Give me an exception to that judgment and an appeal to the 
Court of Appeals, where I may obtain the decision of a court that 
knov/s something." 

The Judge colored with indignation and fined Mr. Williams 
twenty dollars for contempt. 

The next case he decided was the overruling of another motion 
for a new trial made by Billy Moore. After the Judge had announced 
his decision Mr. Moore arose, with modesty approaching humility, 
and said : 

"If Your Honor please," he said meekly, "will you give me an 
exception and an appeal in that case to the Court of Appeals? I do 
not ask this because I think Your Honor has erred, but because I 
hope the Court of Appeals may." 

THE BLACK MASONS. 

Many years ago there was in Kentucky an order known as the 
"I31ack Masons," the main object of which was amusement. They 
initiated candidates in such ways as to provoke an immense amount 
of merriment. At times they would subject the candidates for ad- 
mission to raliier rough treatment. 

Billy Moore was Attorney for the order, which fact was un- 
known to Bill Dykes, who had received severe treatment which con- 
fined him to his bed, and he sent for Moore to employ him to institute 
an action for damages. Moore, who was present in disguise when 
the initiation took i)lace, with great difficulty restrained In'rnself from 
laughing outright at his client's recital of the wrongs inflicted upon 
him. After he concluded, Moore with a very serious air, said to him : 

"My friend, when I was initiated in the order I v/as treated 
even worse than you, and like you I determined to sue for damages, 
Init vt'as restrained by the advice of a friend, who suggested that I 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 83 

wait a month or so until I came to understand the object and effect 
of the order. Well, to make a long story short, I anxiously awaited 
the outcome, \vhen I found it was certainly the greatest order known 
among men, and that its teachings were most improving, inspiring 
and uplifting. 

"Now, my friend, I give you the same advice that was given me. 
Wait a little while before you do anything rash. Continue in the road 
in v/hich you have started and you will soon find that as you go 
higher you will shine, and not only will you shine, but you v^ill shine 
with a shination that cannot be outshone. And yet a little longer, 
you will find that you will glitter, and not only will you glitter, but 
you will glitter with a glitteration that cannot be outglittered. You 
will, by its teachings, be so elevated that you can look into Heaven 
itself and hear the angels playing their golden harps. And then you 
will be ashamed of yourself for ever having thought of suing such 
a grand and glorious order for damages." 

The action was not instituted. 

COURTROOM REPARTEE. 

One of Kentucky's ablest lawyers was Colonel Thomas P. Hill, 
of Stanford. Some years ago he appeared before Judge Mike Owsley 
with quite an array of legal authorities to argue a question concerning 
the construction of a will. He had straightened himself to address 
the court, when the Judge said : 

"Mr. Hill, I do not want to hear any argument from you. I have 
already made up my mind to decide the case for you, and I fear if 
you were to argue it I might change my opinion." 

"That is all right. Judge," retorted Mr. Hill. "The only reason 
that I regret you have prevented me from making the argument is that 
you will never be able to give any good or sufficient reason why you 
have rendered your decision." 

JUDAS AND PETER MIXED. 

A speech made in a murder trial in the Rockcastle circuit court 
resulted in exposing the biblical ignorance of one of the most prom- 
inent attorneys who practiced at that bar. 

Mr. Bobbit appeared for the prosecution and, among other things, 
said to the jury, that, although the defendant was related to him, the 
crime for which he stood indicted was so cold-blooded and brutal that 
he, in discharge of what he believed to be his Christian duty and his 
duty to society, as well, had volunteered to come before the jury and 
urge that defendant's neck be broken on the scaffold. 



86 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

One of the lawyers for the defense, Colonel Hill, followed Mr. 
Bobbitt, and after referring to what he had said, exclaimed: 

"Gentlemen, a man so situated who appears voluntarily to prose- 
cute, is meaner than the defend^fnt, even though the defendant were 
guilty of all he charges him with. He is a traitor to self-respect, a 
traitor to his own blood, and a traitor to the memory of his ancestors. 
He is even meaner than Peter, who betrayed his Master for 'thirtv 
dollars in silver.' " 

Another attorney here suggested : 

"No, Colonel, Judas." 

The Colonel turned upon him and nervously jerking his glasses 
from his nose, with dramatic power, exclaimed : 

"No! No! Peter, sah !'* 

HURRAH FOR H L. 

Colonel Hill was a famous orator whose hearing was not verj 
acute. While making a political speech in Lancaster, he was fre- 
quently interrupted by yells of "Hurrah for Hell,'' by Ed Cook, who 
was exceedingly drunk. Thinking that Cook was yelling for him, 
he turned to him and making a profound bow said : 

"Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir," to the great discomfiture of 
Cook and amusement of the audience. 

A SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE. 

Many years ago there lived in Garrard county, Kentucky, an old 

gentleman by the name of S . He had two daughters, one of 

whom married a man named W , and the other a man named 

H . Both couples immediately commenced house-keeping in 

the neighborhood. Meanwhile, the old man lost his wife, and, after 
mourning for what he considered a proper length of time, proceeded 
to investigate the matrimonial market. 

He had a snug little farm with neat and comfortable buildings, 
the necessary amount of stock, some ready money, and, among other 
things, possessed numerous bee-gums, and a lot of old tobacco which 
he kept for individual use. 

In a short while after he instituted a search for a wife, he was 
rewarded by finding a handsome widow who was of rather unusual 
size, but, withal, a good woman, who fitted his fancy, and they v/ere 
married. 

The usual rows grew up in the family on account of the second 
marriage, and many things were done by his sons-in-law to annoy 



Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 87 

and bedevil him. At length his bee-gfums were spirited away, and 
a short while after his tobacco went in the same manner. 

S was a Christian man, but this was more than he could 

stand. In a fit of anger he accused his sons-in-law^ of theft, by reason 
of which each of them promptly sued him for slander, concluding to 
obtain his estate by law, as no other opportunity was presented. 

When the case came on for trial, S secured the services of 

Major Turner, of Richmond, Ky., who was one of the most successful 
lawyers of his day. He was an old-fashioned, plain, but strong speak- 
er, and could weep copiously at a moment's warning. 

The defendant admitted the speaking of the words and alleged 
their truth. At the conclusion of the speech for the plaintiff, Major 
Turner rose and addressed the jury about as follows : 

"Gentlemen of the jury, you all know my client. You know 
that for more than half a century he has led a spotless life. During all 
that time he has been a zealous Campbellite. (The jurors were mostly 
of that persuation, a fact that had not escaped the astute Major.) 
You know that not a great while ago he lost his wife, since which he 
married a second time, and his last wife sits beside him to-day — and 
a good-looking woman she is, too ; one whom any man on that jury 
would not be ashamed of, and one whom I would be proud to have 
myself." (Here the old lady swelled with conscious pride.) 

"After the marriage the old man settled down, hoping to pass 
the remainder of his days in peace and happiness. When the winter 
came on, after feeding and housing his cattle and partaking of his 
evening meal, he would sit down beside his companion and engage in 
pleasant conversation. And as the night wore on, while the cold 
winds were whistling around his cottage, he v/ould open the old 
cupboard, and, taking therefrom his bottle of apple-brandy, would 
made two nice toddies, sweetened with honey ; and he and his wife 
Vv'ould sit down beside the table, while the hickory logs in the old- 
fashioned fireplace were crackling with flames, shedding a genial glow 
and pleasant warmth about the room, and sip their toddies ; and then 
the good wife would bring the pipes and tobacco, and they would 
smoke and sip, and sip and smoke, until the bliss was too great to be 
marred by conversation. Then, in profound silence, as the blue 
wreaths ascended, they would contemplate them, lost, as it were, in a 
phantasamagoria of sentimental perfectibility, recalling to mind the 
pleasant memories of the past, and feasting on the thoughts of the 
felicity of the present. 

"And while living in this Eden of bliss, with not a wave of trouble 
rolling across his peaceful breast (here the tears streamed down the 



88 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

Major's face), along come these infernal sons-in-law, with hell in 
their hearts, and without fear of God before their eyes, and stole his 
bee-gums and tobacco, and then, because he calls them the thieves 
that they are, sue him for damages, and attempt to rob him of his 
home in his old age. 

"Great God, gentlemen, did you ever hear of such a damnable 
outrage?" 

In uttering the closing sentence the Majors voice reached the 
highest pitch and rang through the courtroom like a trumpet blast, 
and with the perspiration standing out in great drops and mingling 
with his tears, he took his seat amidst tumultuous applause which the 
court was unable to restrain. 

It is perhaps unnecessary to add that S won his case. 

MORE TIME THAN NECCESSARY. 

Major Turner at the breaking out of the Civil War was a Soutii- 
ern sympathizer and Ashly Williams, of Lancaster, Kentucky, was a 
very bitter Unionist, known as a dangerous man, and was the self- 
appointed regulator of politics in his section. The Major came to 
Lancaster on legal business, and shortly after his arrival was notified 
by Williams that he would give him twenty minutes to leave town. 
The Major, knowing the character of Williams, replied: 

"I only want ten." 

THE MOST "HONESTEST" MAN. 

"Judge Durham had great power among the masses. He had a 
way of impressing the truth of what he said beyond any public man 
I have ever known," remarked Senator Bradley. "I have frequenllx- 
thought that he had a face like an affidavit, with a notarial seal in 
the lower left hand corner. 

"While the Judge was an excellent man, novv and then in dis- 
cussing the tariff he grew very extravagant, a failing quite common 
with political speakers. 

"At Wade's Cross Road, in Russell county, was gathered a crowd 
of probably three hundred. Among them was an old gentleman by the 
name of Hill. He was a well-to-do farmer for that locality, and 
ordinarily a quiet man. He listened with the utmost attention to the 
Judge while he told how the poor farmer was robbed. The tears 
stood in the old man's eyes as the Judge drew a picture of his con- 
dition. 

" 'Mr. Hill, that suit of jeans 3'ou have on cost you ten dollars.' 
said the Judge. 'But did you know, sir, that the v,-ool in it is taxed 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 89 

by this infernal tariff 500 per cent, and that the bottons on it are 
taxed 400 per cent; that the thread in it is taxed 150 per cent; the 
linings are taxed 175 per cent; and the cotton batting is taxed 160 
per cent?' 

"By this time even the amiable and able Judge had worked him- 
self to a high pitch of excitement, and, turning to the old man, ex- 
claimed : 

" *If it were not for this robber tariff you could buy that suit 
for two dollars.' 

"Old man Hill could contain himself no longer. He sprang to 
his feet, and, with a voice as keen as the crack of a whip, yelled out : 

" 'Rise, my Durham ; I have always knowed that you was the 
most honestest and truthfullest man I ever seed.' 

"And so it was the Judge with his sober face and earnest manner 
was the most impressive and dangerous speaker with the masses in 
Kentucky in that day." 

FOR O'CONNOR AND THE UNION. 

"There were many amusing incidents in the campaign for Con- 
gress between Judge Durham and myself in 1882," continued Senator 
Bradley. "We had a pleasant experience, and I believe each of us 
at the conclusion entertained higher and more kindly opinions of 
the other than at the beginning of the campaign. 

"On the day of the Jimtovv^n meeting, while the Judge, who was 
a very tall man, was speaking, he was rudely interrupted by a man 
in the audience. Fearing that the interruption came from a Republi- 
can, I arose and requested him to please not interrupt the Judge. 

"He very promptly told me to 'go to h — 1,' a request I did not 
comply with, but by reason of which I took my seat. 

"The Judge (who was a very tall, slender man), spoke a minute 
or two over his time. I was standing at the foot of the platform, 
dressed in a short sack coat, which made me appear even shorter of 
stature than I really am, with my documents under my arm, and 
quite anxious to make a response. The man who had interrupted the 
Judge looked at me, and then looked at the Judge. Finally he yelled 
out: 

" 'Set down, Lengthy, and give Chuffy a chance.' " 

"This sally brought down the house. At the conclusion of the 
speaking, not understanding why the man was so impartial in his 
rudeness to the Judge and myself, I asked him if he were for Grant." 

" 'No,' he replied with an oath. 

"Then I inquired if he were for Greeley, when I was sententiously 



99 Stories of William 0. Bradley. ^ 

i. - 

answered, 'D n Greeley.' 

"Then whom are you for?" I asked. 

"Turning squarely upon me and raising himself to his full height, 
he replied: 

" 'I am for Charles O'Connor and the Union.' " 

THE GREAT COMPTROLLER. 

Judge Durham was not only an excellent Representative of the 
Lower House in Congress, but made an enviable record as Comp- 
troller of the Treasury under President Cleveland. He was very 
proud of the position and esteemed it as one of especial honor and 
prominence. 

Theodore Hallani, of Covington, told the story that near the con- 
clusion of the Judge's term, he accompanied him to church ; that when 
the preacher asked all to stand in prayer he and the Judge arose, among 
others, and when the minister commenced his prayer, "Oh ! Thou great 
Controller of the Universe," the Judge repeatedly bowed in acknowl- 
edgment of the compliment. 

WILL GO STRAIGHT BACK. 

A lady, seeing Theodore Hallam coming out of a saloon in Cov- 
ington, exclaimed: 

"Why, Mr. Haliam, T am astonished to see you coming out of 
that saloon!" 

"Excuse me," said Hallam. "I thought I was making a mistake 
in coming out. I'll go straight back." 

A COMPLETE REJOINDER. 

Richard Smith, editor of the Cincinnati Gazette, and Theodore 
Mallam were close friends. They met almost daily at the St. Nicholas, 
in Cincinnati, about noon, to lunch and convivialize. 

There had been quite an ugly controversy in the Cincinnati news- 
papers between the police of Cincinnati and Covington. Among other 
things it was charged that the Covington police were harboring 
thieves during the day to operate in Cincinnati at night. About this 
time Smith and Hallam met and this dialogue ensued : 

Smith : — "Hello, Hallam ; I see you are harboring Cincinnati 
thieves in Covington." 

Hallam : — "Yes ; come over." 



Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 91 

A GENTLEMAN'S SPREE. 

One of the queer characters that Garrard county produced was 
Oscar Tillett. He was endowed with a kind heart, pleasant manners, 
and rare intelligence. When sober he was an excellent business man, 
but, unfortunately, he was given to frequent sprees, so that he never 
accumulated any estate. He was not able to embark in business by 
himself and consequently worked all his life for others. For quite 
a while he clerked in Berkele's store, in the little village of Bryants- 
ville. As soon as he accumulated as much as one hundred dollars 
he would disappear and not be seen for a week or ten days. Squire 
Berkele was a tender hearted man, and continually overlooked Tillett's 
short coming. 

During one of these absences Berkele received a letter from Til- 
lett, who was in Cincinnati, begging that some money be sent him, so 
that he might return. The request was promptly complied with. 
When Tillett returned, Mr. Berkele delivered to him a severe lecture, 
winding up by saying: 

"If nothing else will do but to have a spree, why don't you buy 
five dollars' worth of whiskey and have it out here, instead of going 
to Cincinnati and spending all of your money?" 

Turning to him with an expression of disgust on his features 
Tillett asked : 

"Mr. Berkele, how could you expect a gentleman like me to 
conduct a spree of any magnitude in a d — d little hog-wallow like 
Bryantsville?" 

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 

Tillett attended a debating society about 1900, when the question 
for discussion was : 

"Are we living in the eighteenth or nineteenth century?" 

Many heated arguments were made pro and con. Finally it 
came to Tillett's turn, and, with a timely illustration, he drove his 
competitors to the wall. 

"Now, boys," said he, "supposing any one of you was plowing 
in a field and had plowed eighteen full rows, and had started on 
another and almost completed it. Do you suppose you would be fool 
enough to call that row the eighteenth ? If you did you should be 
promptly tried and convicted for lunacy." 

THE HEREAFTER. 

The ruling passion was strong within him on his death bed. A 
minister said to him : 



92 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

"Mr. Tillett, you should prepare for death in order that you may 
meet your friends in heaven." 

"Well," he replied, "Doctor, I reckon I don't need much prepara- 
tion, for I believe as matters now stand I will meet the great ma- 
jority of them without going to any unnecessary trouble." 

CHARGED WITH DYNAMITE, 

"Some years ago," remarked Senator Bradley, "I witnessed an 
unusual occurrence in the courtroom at London, Kentucky. Judge 
Robert Boyd was the presiding justice. One morning, shortly after 
court had begun, Andrew Jackson, the foreman of the grand jury, 
appeared before the Judge having in charge a woman who, he stated, 
had refused to testify before the grand jury. 

"The Judge, with a very polite bow, said to her : 

" 'Madam, it is 3'our duty to tell anything you may know about 
any violation of the law in this county, except of course, such as may 
have taken place in your immediate family. It would be very dis- 
agreeable for me to have to punish you in any way, and I trust that 
you will go at once and answer the questions that may be asked you 
by the foreman of the grand jury.' 

" Til be blamed if I do,' said she with a withering look of scorn. 

" 'Mr. Clerk, enter a iine of ten dollars against this woman,' said 
the court. 'Now, madam, go and testify to the jury at once.' 

" 'You go to thunder, you blamed old fool,' the woman retorted 

" 'Mr. Sheriff, take her to jail,' roared the Judge. 

" 'And hain't I already in jail for selling whiskey, and brought 
outen the jail to testify?' said she, and, with a defiant toss of her head, 
she passed out of the courtroom. 

"Being very fond of the Judge, and quite intimate with him. I 
arose and said, as if I had not fully gathered what had been going on : 

" 'May I inquire of Your Honor what the lady is charged with?' 

" 'I don't know, sir, but I think she is charged with dynamite,' 
replied the Judge, with a look of exasperation." 

THE HANDWRITING OF JUDGE BOYD. 

Boyd enjoyed the reputation of being an upright and courageous 
Judge. He had one failing, and that was, his handwriting was very 
difficult to read. Indeed, a sheet of paper with his chirography on it 
presented more the appearance of the wanderings of a spider that had 
been liberated from an inkwell than anything else. 

Like all men who write miserable hands, the Judge was extremely 
sensitive on the subject, and on one occasion inflicted a fine upon a 



Stories of IVilliam 0. Bradley. 93 

lawyer who undertook to reflect upon his handwriting in an argument 
before the jury. In the case immediately following, Elijah Hurst, of 
the Pineville bar, in attempting to read the instructions of the court, 
found himself involved in a hopeless labyrinth. Not desiring to meet 
a fate similar to the attorney who had just preceded him, he remarked 
to the jury : 

"Gentlemen, I am not able to read Judge Boyd's writing, not 
because he does not write well — because we all know to the contrary — 
but on account of a serious defect in my own education." 

THE LOAN OF A CANNON. 

Judge Boyd was one of the attorneys for James Sparks and Sonny 
Hodge, indicted for murder. It was proved that Hodge loaned Sparks 
the pistol with which he shot and killed Killion. The Judge, in 
answering the attorney who had severely arraigned Hodge, said : 

"Jim Sparks had been driven into the back of his store-room and 
barred the door to prevent the entrance of the man who was seeking 
his heart's blood without cause. His foe was battering down the door, 
and he was unarmed. Under these circumstances Sonny Hodge loaned 
him a pistol. He did right and what any other brave and honest 
man would have done under the circumstances. If I had been there 
and had it, I would have loaned him a cannon." 

NO LAW AGAINST IT. 

Bill Skyes was tried in the Bell circuit court for disturbing re- 
ligious worship. The only proof adduced by the Commonwealth was 
that at the conclusion of the sermon in a late revival the preacher 
had requested all persons to stand up who desired to go to heaven. 
All arose except Skyes. The minister then asked them to resume 
their seats, which they did. He then requested all who desired to go 
to hell to arise, when Skyes quickly sprang up. The Commonwealth's 
Attorney having announced that he was through with his testimony. 
Judge Boyd instructed the jury : 

"Gentlemen of the jury, I do not know of any law, statute or 
common, which prevents a man from going to hell when he wants to. 
You will therefore find the defendant not guilty." 

AN EXTRAVAGANT COMPLIMENT. 

Nath Woodcock lived in Danville, Kentucky, and was an ac- 
complished traveling man. He was very talkative and entertaining, 
as well as exceedingly popular. He happened in Lancaster one night 
when a church supper was in progress. Hearing of it, he lost 



94 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

no time in finding his way to the place. The table at which he sat 
was presided over by Mrs. B , a most excellent, but high tem- 
pered, lady. After Woodcock had finished his repast and paid for it, 
he said: 

"Mrs. B , as you know, 1 am a traveling man. I eat at all 

the hotels, great or small, but I want to say to you, madam, that you 
have two things on the table that I have never seen excelled." 

Mrs. B felt highly complimented, and with a most be- 
witching smile thanked Mr. Woodcock, and requested him to mention 
the two articles. With a very dignified bow, he responded : 

"The pepper and salt;" but in order to save himself from harm, 
he immediately retreated. 

AN INJURED DEBTOR. 

Among the many celebrities of Garrard county, was Alex. Conn, 
known generally as "A. Conn." He was very erratic, dead game, and 
did and said many amusing things. He was an artist of rare merit, as 
the portraits that adorn the walls of many dwellings in that section 
attest. 

Work faithfully as he might, he was at all times impecunioiis. 
and more than once was compelled to ask his friends to go his security. 
He was always willing, but never able, to pay. By reason of his 
financial troubles he at length became gloomy and irritable, until 
finally nothing offended him so much as to be dunned for a debt. 

Colonel J. A. Burnside and General D. R. Collier became his 
sureties on a note which was from time to time renewed until 
liquidated by them. 

The last time the note was presented to Conn for renewal he 
lost his temper and said to the banker: 

"Now, I've heard as much about that note as I want to hear. 
I'm sick and tired of piddling with it and I'll be dinged if I ever 
renew it again. I'm astonished, sir; yes, I am almost paralyzed, by 
your presenting this note and having me wear myself out signing 
my name. 

"Why don't you go to those fellows and have them pay it and 
be done with it? The darned fools knew when they signed it that I 
had nothing to pay with, and that they would have to pay it, and if 
they had any sense of decency or propriety they would not thus annoy 
and mortify a friend by allowing it to be presented to him every few 
months. 

"No, I will not renew it, and if you ever ask me again I will take 
it as personal and resent it as any gentleman should resent an insult." 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 95 

Having thus delivered himself, with a look of injured innocence 
and insulted dignity, he angrily walked away. The cashier, knowing 
"A. Conn" as he did, never presented the note again, and it was paid 
off by Collier and Burnside, who preserved it in order that they 
might now and then see the autograph of their valued friend. 

TWO CELEBRATED SPEECHES. 

One of the most famous trials that ever took place in Kentucky 
took place at Cynthiana some years ago, the distinguished Colonel 
W. C. P. Breckinridge appearing for the defense, and the Nestor of the 
local bar, Colonel Harry Ward, for the prosecution. Colonel Breckin- 
ridge, with that pathos for which he was famous and which was well- 
nigh irresistible, concluded his speech by asking the jury to acquit the 
defendant and return him to the arms of his weeping mother. 

"Before I left home this morning," said he, "my wife came to 
me and placing her arms around my neck, besought me not to let the 
heart of the poor boy's mother be broken by his conviction. My 
daughter then came and, with tears in her eyes, embraced and begged 
me to employ every energy for his acquittal and spare his sisters the 
mortification of conviction. My son then came and earnestly besought 
me to save the young man from being torn from his brothers and 
confined within the loathsome walls of a penitentiary. And, gentle- 
men, in conclusion, I beg you to protect this splendid family ; to save 
the peace and happiness of their home and to let this poor boy go 
forth vindicated from this foul charge." 

At the end of the speech the audience seemed spellbound. Coloive! 
Ward arose and commenced his argument. 

"Yes, gentlemen," he began, "I ask that you do not add any more 
sorrow to the already broken hearted and weeping mother, who 
mourns the death of her boy, by acquitting this scoundrel. 

"Before I left home this morning my wife wound her arms about 
me and said: 'Oh, husband, don't let the jury acquit that murderer 
and add fresh sorrow to the heart of the poor mother who weeps 
beside the grave of her dead son.' And then my daughter came and, 
embracing me, said : 'Oh, father, do your best and don't let the jury 
wound and mortify the sisters of the dead boy by turning the murderer 
loose.' And then my son appeared and said : 'Father, give that hellian 
all he deserves, and don't allow his poor brothers to be outraged by 
an acquital.' 

"And, please God, gentlemen, I am here to carry out the request.^ 
of my family and believe you will assist me in so doing." 

The defendant was convicted. 



96 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

PRESERVING HIS TIME. 

Colonel Ward was an exceedingly eccentric man and a 
very able lawyer. While arguing a case in the Court of Appeals he 
was frequently interrupted by embarrassing questions propounded by 
the Chief Justice. At length he could stand it no longer, especially 
in view of the fact that his time limit was one hour, and, in an inimi- 
table manner, he inquired : 

"Judge, are these interruptions to come out of my time? If so, 
I protest against them." 

A PARALYZING ANSWER. 
Colonel Ward made some personal remarks in the circuit court at 

Cynthiana that offended the Judge, and started to leave the rcom ; 

whereupon the Judge, in an angry manner, inquired of him: 
"Do you mean to show your contempt for this Court?" 
"No, may it please your honor," responded the Colonel, "I am 

preparing to leave in order to conceal it." 

HOLDING HIS OWN. 

Judge Andrew Kirk tells the following story of a country couple 
in the Kentucky mountains. 

John was a bashful young fellow who had been visiting Mollie 
for some time, and finally, with many misgivings, made up his mind 
to court her. There was only one room in the cabin, and a blanket 
was stretched across it about midway to enable the old people to 
retire; which they finally did. The young man said that before the 
parents retired the old clock on the mantle seemed to say, "go slow, 
go slow, go slow" ; and as the old folks were there, he thought it was 
best to heed the warning. Penally the old folks retired, whereupon 
the clock changed its tone and seemed to say, "go fast, go fast, go 
fast." At length, he said, he sorter hitched his chair up closer and 
said : 

"Mollie, we air not talkin much, air we?" 

She replied, "No, John, we air not." 

He then moved up a little closer, and said again : 

"Mollie, we air not talkin much, air we?" 

And she said again, "No, John, not much." 

He then hunched up a little more, put his arms around her neck 
and kissed her and repeated : 

"Mollie. we air not talkin much, air we?" 

Then Mollie replied : 

"No, John, we air not sayin much, but you air holdin' your own." 



Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 97 

AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 

Colonel Dick Wintersmith was a practical joker, original and 
unique. During the Columbian Exposition he startled some friends 
at a dinner, speaking of Columbus : 

"Boys, I knew him well, he loved a drink, was fond of the ladies, 
and an all-round good fellow. His death was the cause of profound 
sadness to me, which I have never been able to entirely overcome." 

"Why, Colonel," said one of the group, "Columbus has been dead 
for hundreds of years." 

"True, only too true," replied the Colonel with a deep-drawn 
sigh, "How time does fly." 

DETERMINED TO APOLOGIZE. 

Many years ago the Colonel lived in Frankfort, Ky., where he 
acquired the intense dislike of Colonel Ambrose Dudley. Meeting 
Colonel Dudley one morning, Colonel Wintersmith, in a most friendly 
manner, said : 

"Good morning, Mr. Dudley, how are you today?" 

Dudley heatedly replied : "Don't speak to me, you lying scound- 
rel." 

Wintersmith making a polite bow, said: 

"I accept your apology." 

"Apology, the devil!" retorted Dudley. "I did not make an 
apology. I repeat, sir, all I have said." 

Again Wintersmith bowed like a French dancing master, and 
said: 

"Mr. Dudley, my* mother always taught me in my youth when- 
ever a gentleman treated me with especial kindness and friendship 
not to disgrace myself, but to always recognize it ; and I repeat, I 
accept your apology !" 

ANXIOUS FOR A REPUTATION. 

Andrew Conn was one of the most famous fighting men that 
Garrard county, Kentucky, ever produced. A young man by the 
name of Sadler was extremely anxious to acquire a reputation, so he 
induced Conn on Saturday to agree to allow him to give him the lie on 
county court day, the next Monday, before a big crowd, and fail to 
resent it. He believed this would give him an all sufficient reputation. 

So the next Monday, Sadler walked up in a crowd and told Conn 
he had lied, whereupon Conn sailed into him, mashing his nose, 
loosening his teeth, and blacking his eyes. Finally, Sadler yelled out : 

"Andy, you went back on your promise !" 



98 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

Whereupon, Conn immediately ceased to belabor him, and replied : 
"Well, Sadler, you must excuse me. I forgot it as clear as a 
whistle." 

IMPARTIAL MAGISTRATE. 

Conn was elected Justice of the Peace, and quickly established a 
reputation, not only as being a fearless and just, but an exceedingly 

rough and uncouth officer of the law. Steve Holcolmb had sued 

Henderson for five dollars for five gallons of brandy. Holcomb was 
a short, fat man with a red face, large abdomen and self important 
air. He sat down on a bench in the old school house where court 
was being held, immediately in front of Conn, and folded his hands 
over his abdomen with apparent Christian resignation. At length 
Conn, in going over his docket, called ; "Holcomb vs. Henderson." 

Holcomb, quick as lightning, jumped to his feet and exclaimed, 
"Judgment !" 

"Stand up, Steve, and be sworn," commanded Conn. 

Holcomb stood up and said : "Why, Squire, he hain't here to 
deny it." 

"You do solemnly swear that you will tell the truth," said Conn, 
ignoring the remark. 

"I do," said Holcomb. 

"Steve," inquired Conn, "did you deliver five gallons of brandy 
to Henderson?" 

"Yes," answered Holcomb. 

"Did he agree to pay you for it?" enquired Conn. 

"Yes, he agreed to pay me one dollar a gallon," answered Hol- 
comb. 

"Has he ever paid any part of it?" asked Conn. 

"No," replied Holcomb, 

Conn then looking severely at Holcomb said : "I find for the 
defendant." 

Just at this time, looking out of the window, Conn saw Hender- 
son riding up. Turning to Joe Baker, his constable, he commanded : 

"Joe, bring in Henderson." 

In a few moments Joe returned with Henderson, and Conn ordered 
him to hold up his hands and swear him to "tell the truth." 

"Now, Henderson," said Conn, "did you ever buy any brandy 
from Steve Holcomb, and if so, did you pay him for it?" 

"Yes," answered Henderson, "five gallons at five dollars, for 
which I paid him and here is his receipt," and taking the receipt from 
his pocket-book, he handed it to Conn, who looked at it carefully, 
handed it back, and turning to Holcomb, exclaimed : 



Stories of ff'iV/tam O. Bradley. 99 

"There now, Steve, didn't I know you had sworn to a lie?" 
"Rayly, Squire," replied Steve, "I furgot that receipt." 

SERIOUSLY HANDICAPPED. 

Conn was a man of unflinching courage, always ready and anxious 
for a fight. A report was circulated that George Best had denounced 
him as a liar and he had failed to resent it. A friend of Conn could 
not believe the story, and a few days after, meeting him, inquired 
about it. To his utter astonishment Conn informed him that the 
report was true. 

"Why, Andy," said he, "I would not have believed this coming 
from any one but you. I know you do not fear any man on earth, and 
never before failed to resent an insult. Why did you submit to it?" 

"Because," responded Conn, "I had told a lie and could not 
afford to kill him for telling the truth." 

ANSWERING AN UGLY QUESTION. 

In 1870 Senator Bradley was quite a young man. He ran for 
County Attorney of Garrard county, Kentucky, on the Republican 
ticket. That was the first year the negro voted, and as there were about 
six hundred negroes qualified to vote in Garrard county, which was 
situated in the Blue Grass where there had been many slaves, and 
which had theretofore given a heavy Democratic majority, there 
was intense excitement. The Democrats were highly incensed because 
the negroes were to vote, and there were many Republicans who did 
not entirely approve of it. The bugaboo of "Negro Equality" was 
therefore the shibboleth of the Democratic campaign. 

On county court day the candidates of both parties were on hand 
to address the voters, and Bradley's speech that day was his first 
political effort. The Democrats had selected a man who had killed 
another man and who did not represent the highest type of citizenship, 
to ask Bradley a question. After Bradley had been speaking a short 
while the interlocutor arose and asked: 

"If a white Democrat was running for an office in this county 
and a black, ignorant Republican nigger was running against him, 
which would you vote for?" 

Under the cricumstances this was a dangerous question, for if 
he answered that he would vote for the negro there were a number of 
white Republicans who would refuse to vote for him ; while, on the 
other hand, if he said he would refuse to vote for the negro and vote 
for the Democrat, he would lose a number of negro votes. In order to 
gain a little time for thought, Bradley professed not fully to under- 



100 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

stand the question and asked that it might be repeated ; which was 
promptly done. Bradley turned his face full upon his interrogator 
and replied : 

"If the Republicans of this county should nominate the blackest 
and most ignorant negro in the county, and the Democrats should 
nominate you, I would vote for the negro." 

The answer elicited hearty applause from both parties, and thus 
an ugly complication was escaped. 

SPECTACLES. 

It is unnecessary to tell who Henry Watterson is, as his name 
is well known in every intelligent household in the land. Neither 
is it necessary to speak of his wonderful ability, his charming oratory, 
or his superb social and intellectual qualities. Many instances might 
be recounted of his flashing wit and biting satire, but one alone will 
be recited. He very much disliked the Honorable Jim Chrisman, the 
representative of Wayne county, although they v/ere of the same 
political faith. Chrisman was constantly favoring some proposition 
of supposed moral conduct, in which he consumed much time, and 
Watterson had no faith in his pretensions ; hence he, in derision, 
dubbed him the "Christian Statesman from Wayne." 

During the session of the legislature there appeared in the 
Courier-Journal from Watterson's pen a lengthy editorial entitled 
"Spectacles." In this editorial Watterson took up the whole history 
of spectacles, teUing by whom and when they were first invented and 
the various improvements that had been made in them in the course 
of years. He recounted all the distinguished men who wore them in 
early days. He also spoke of the different kinds of spectacles, their 
various adjustments, place of their manufacture, the variety of frames, 
and their uses, etc., etc., at great length. 

It was a most entertaining article written in Watterson's best 
vein, but all who read it wondered while reading, why it was written 
and what place it had in the editorial columns. This was, however, 
fully explained by the conclusion which was : 

"The Christian statesman from Wayne does not wear spectacles, 
but insists on all occasions on making a spectacle of himself," 

SAVED HIM THE TROUBLE. 

John Harney was a contemporary of George D. Prentice, one 
editing the Democrat, and the other the Journal, in Louisville, Ken- 
tucky. Harney was a man of rare intellect and literary accomplish- 
ments, and when he wrote a witty thing, which was not often, it was 



Stories of Willium O. Bradley. loi 

written in a manner that indicated he had uttered it from a sense of 
duty, more than from a desire to be amusing. Prentice was one of 
the most gifted writers of his day. Absolute master of English, a 
poet, an orator, and a wit, no one escaped and many went down before 
his trenchant blade. Sometimes Mr. Prentice became angered and 
was not select in his language. In a very sarcastic and bitter editorial, 
occasioned by something that Harney had done which greatly dis- 
pleased him, he wound up his article with the inelegant expression, 
"the editor of the Democrat has made an ass of himself." 

Harney answered the arraignment with an air of injured inno- 
cence and remarkable seriousness. At the conclusion of the article 
he said : 

"The editor of the Journal says that the editor of the Democrat 
has made an ass of himself. This may be true, but the editor of the 
Journal may congratulate himself that he never made an ass of him- 
self, because nature saved him the trouble. However, the Lord in 
tender consideration of the feeling of the tribe, made his ears some 
shorter than those of his kindred, so that he would not be readily 
recognized in polite society." 

UNKNOWN TO SHAKESPEARE, 

There lived in Kentucky many years ago a distinguished lawyer 
by the name of Carpenter. He was exceedingly caustic, and usually 
carried away the scalp of any man who aroused his displeasure. 
While engaged in a trial in the Franklin circuit court he was 
intensely annoyed by Mr. Spriggs, a very loquacious, persistent and 
empty-pated young lawyer, who opposed him. In the concluding 
argument Carpenter reminded the jury of the wonderful writings of 
Shakespeare, saying that he, of all men, knew most of human nature. 

"But," said he, "even he sometimes made mistakes. For instance, 
he once said there never would be a time when a man without brains 
could live. Could he have been able to look into the future and fully 
appreciate the qualities of my friend Spriggs, he would never have 
given utterance to that remark." 

DECLINED TO ANTICIPATE PROVIDENCE. 

Carpenter, originally of Covington, Kentucky, was a very peculiar 
man, wandering about the country and constantly changing his abode. 
He was one of the attorneys of Dorsey, of Star Route fame, in the 
trial of the United States against him. After Dorsey had been ac- 
quitted, his friends, headed by a brass band, gave him a serenade at 
his hotel, and during its continuance called for Carpenter to speak. 



I02 Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 

Thereupon, Carpenter appeared, which was the signal of great clap- 
ping of hands, and some one in the audience shouted to him : 

"Give the Attorney General h 1 !" 

Carpenter turning toward the speaker, replied: 
"Excuse me, I decline to anticipate Providence." 

THE LORD CAN DO AS HE PLEASES. 
Years ago when the lightning-rod craze was sweeping Kentucky 
and the agents were reaping a rich harvest, one of them appeared 
before a meeting of deacons of a church and undertook to convince 
them that they should purchase rods for the protection of the church. 
All of them agreed to make the purchase except a stolid, well-to-do 
German. When twitted by one of his brothers for stinginess, he 
philosophically replied : 

"Te church is te Lord's and te lightnin' is te Lord'.«, and if te 
Lord vish to take his lightnin' and knock down his own church, tat 
is his pisness." 

"A TAMMED TIGHT SQUEEZE." 

John Skimmerhorn was an old German miller, who had acquired 
considerable property. In his old age he had a dream which he re- 
lated with great gusto. He said : 

"I treamed dot I tied und vent to himmel. Saint Peter he stop 
me at te door and enquire — 'vot you doin' here Skimmerhorn,' I set : 
'I vant to git in.' He set: 'Vant you a miller on earth?' I set: 'Yes,' 
He then set: 'Your toll dish vas pigger tan your half-pushels und 
you ropt your neighbors.' I set : 'Vel tat is true, put i gifs all I takes 
to de vidders and orphens.' He set : 

" 'Veil, tat pein true you can cum in, put it's a tammed tight 
squeeze.' " 

BEATEN AT HIS OWN GAME. 

When Senator Bradley and Judge Durham were candidates for 
Congress in 1872, their first debate took place at Campbellsville. 
Judge Durham was an old politician of great experience and shrewd- 
ness, who artfully played upon the credulity of his audience. Bradley 
was a very young man without any experience, and was leading what 
was supposed to be a forlorn hope. Durham bitterly arraigned the 
Republicans for taxing whiskey and brandy one dollar and a half per 
gallon, and tobacco sixty cents a pound, saying that it was worse 
than highway robbery. 

Bradley quickly comprehending the game that his competitor 
was attempting to play, commenced by saying that the people of 



Stories of IVilliam 0. Bradley. 103 

Kentucky could never expect any relief as long as they continued 
sending Democrats to Congress in which they were in a minority, 
and for that reason they should elect him. Tobacco and whiskey, he 
said, were luxuries and the Government had to raise revenue to pay 
expenses, and it was better to tax them than tax the necessities of 
life. Then, turning to the Judge, he asked: "How much do you 
think would be a proper rate of taxation." 

The Judge replied: "Fifty-five cents a gallon on whiskey and 
thirty cents a pound on tobacco." 

"Now, fellow citizens," said Bradley, "my distinguished com- 
petitor tells you that the tax on whiskey and tobacco is highway 
robbery, and yet he says if you send him to Congress he will vote to 
cut it in two. In other words, he proposes to perpetuate that robbery 
at one half its present rate. Elect me to Congress and I will have it 
all taken off, and have the Government furnish you free barrels 
for your whiskey and free hogsheads for your tobacco." 

A SPIRITED CONTROVERSY. 

Honorable William Herndon, a leading lawyer of Lancaster, 
Kentucky, who won distinction as Commonwealth's Attorney, relates 
the following: 

"A little bunch of negroes, seated on the stone fence fronting 
the courthouse in Stanford, were discussing the question as to who 
was the greatest speaker in the State." 

"Said one: 'My man is Judge George Denny. If I was eatin* 
hog and hominy, I'd up and' strik' fur de co'thouse de minit I heerd 
he had tu'n'd loose.' 

"The second said: 'Boss Bradley am my man, he's de mos' 
savigorous man in de wurl. And ef I wus hongry es a bar and had 
possum and taters rite skwar between my teeth, an sum wun say he 
wuz gwine fer to start, I'd lay um rite down and not tech de groun' 
nior'n two times 'fore I retched thar and heerd ev'ry word.' 

"The third, with a contemptuous expression of the opinions given, 
remarked : 'You niggahs ain't got'no larnin. Marse Dick Warren can 
lay it acrost any uv um. When he gits up an spreds hisself, and opens 
his mouf good an' wide, you can hear him ni' a mile.' " 

WOULD KEEP UP WITH THE PROCESSION. 

Judge Emmett Field, of Louisville, Kentucky, who was a most 
amiable and able judge, is responsible for tiie following: 

A man went to a livery stable and hired a horse and buggy. The 
keeper was a fussy and over-particular man and cautioned his cus- 



104 Stories of Williaitt O. Bradley. 

tomer that he must not drive too fast. When the man got into the 
buggy, the keeper said : 

"Remember, you must not drive that horse too fast." 

The customer responded : 

"Look here, my friend, I'm going to John Smith's funeral, and 
I'll keep up with the procession if it kills the d d horse." 

DISCONNECTED SENTENCES. 

Matt. O'Doherty, of Louisville, Kentucky, who has won great 
distinction as lawyer, judge, and politician, was arguing a case in 
Judge Evans' court against a fellow attorney. The latter 
had taken detached portions of two decisions and blending them, con- 
tended that the two jointly, conclusively sustained his contention. 
O'Doherty, responding, said that he could, by similar references from 
the Bible, prove that it advised all of its readers to hang themselve?. 

"In one place," said he, "speaking of Judas, we are told 'and he 
went and hanged himself.' And in another portion of the scripture 
we are told. 'Go, thou, and do likewise.' " 

A COMMON CARRIER. 

Ben Lee Hardin, one of Kentucky's wittiest lawyers, tells the 
following anecdote : 

Captain John J. McAfee (Ginger), soon after procuring a license 
to practice law, opened an office and swung his shingle in Harrods- 
burg, Kentucky. His preparation for the profession was meager to 
an abnormal degree. Two young society gentlemen from Frankfort 
came to Harrodsburg skylarking, and were arrested by Bob Gallagher, 
Chief of Police, and landed in jail. Next day, much humiliated, they 
instituted suit for $500 damages for false imprisonment, against the 
city, the said Ginger drafting the petitions. John Kyle, as one of the 
trustees and myself, acting city attorney in the place of the regular 
one, filed a demurrer to the petition. Judge Wickliffe indicated that 
he would sustain the demurrer, but gave Ginger until the next morn- 
ing to submit some authority. 

During the day, Ginger, at a loss to find any authority germane 
to his contention, submitted the matter to John B. Thompson. Thomp- 
son, who was busy, handed him one of the Bush Reports wherein was 
a decision as to the liability of a common carrier. Ginger came into 
court next morning loaded, and during his extended remarks quoted 
nearly all of the decision. The Judge, puzzled at Ginger's attitude, 
queried : 



Stories of William 0. Bradley. i<55 



"Captain McAfee, how is the liability of the city and its em- 
ployees related to the law governing common carriers?" 

Ginger, complacently secure in his position, pointed to the afore- 
said Gallagher, and exclaimed : 

"There is the common carrier, because it is very, very common 
for him to carry people to jail." 

SWIMMING THE MISSISSIPPI. 

R. D. Hill, former United States District Attorney for Kentucky, 
appeared for the defendant in one of the mountain courts, and suc- 
ceeded in winning his case by an amusing comment. The plaintiff was 
a tall, lanky, greasy and dirty looking individual, with exceedingly 
long matted hair, which hung down his back like the dirty and burr- 
filled tail of a neglected sheep. After commenting upon his condition, 
Mr. Hill pointed at the plaintiff, and exclaimed : 

"If I were a louse I'd swim the Mississippi river to get to that 
head." 

MAJOR BRADLEY. 

Major Robert M. Bradley was among the early lawyers of Ken- 
tucky. He was left a poor orphan boy at the age of twelve and had 
a hard struggle to obtain a very limited education and his license 
to practice law. However, he soon took rank among the foremost 
lawyers of his day, it being conceded that he was the most learned 
and successful land lawyer in the State. At that time land titles 
throughout the Commonwealth were in a chaotic and complicated 
condition. He was an exceedingly genial and entertaining man, a 
most accomplished story teller, and "a powerful all-round lawyer.'* 

CLIMAX UNEXPECTEDLY DESTROYED. 

Joshua F. Bell was called in the fifties, "The Silver Tongued 
Bell." He was a man of extraordinary literary culture, and was a 
great popular orator. In making the last speech in an action of slander 
at Somerset, Kentucky, near the conclusion, he dramatically exclaimed : 

"Well has William Shakespeare, that most wonderful judge of 
human nature, said, 'Who steals my purse steals trash. 'Twas 
mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; but he who filches 
from me my good name — ,' " 

At this point Major Bradley interrupted, by saying: 

"Takes that, Joshua, which you never had." 

With all the readiness which Mr. Bell possessed as a speaker he 
was unable to meet this thrust, made, of course, good naturedly, but 



I06 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

for the purpose, and with the effect, of destroying the force of the 
ver}- elegant speech which he was then making to the jury. 

WANT OF INFORMATION. 

The judge of the Garrard circuit court, in calling his docket, 

recited the style of each case with the names of opposing counsel, 

thus : 

"John Smith against Wm. Jones ; R. D. Lusk for the plaintiff, 

Richard Sloan for the defendant." 

Mr. Sloan was not present. Turning to Lusk, the judge inquired : 
"Mr. Lusk, what disposition will you have made of this case?" 
"I do not believe I am for the plaintiff in that case," Mr. Lusk 

replied. "But not being certain, I will ask your honor to continue 

the case for want of information." 

"Judge, I think it would be a good idea for you to continue all 

of Mr. Lusk's cases for the same reason," interposed Major Bradley. 

PRODUCTION OF THE WEAPON SUFFICIENT. 

Martin Owens had been sued in a number of cases in the Pulaski 
circuit court, and continued some three or four of them on his sworn 
examination. At length a case was called in which Major Bradley 
represented the plaintiff". Owens' attorney announced defendant not 
ready. 

"Stand up, Mr. Owens, and be sworn." 

Owens, who was a tall, rawboned man, with long arms, promptiy 
arose and extended his arm aloft, preparatory to taking the oath. 

"Sit down, Mr. Owens," said Major Bradley, "the production of 
the weapon is sufficient." 

A TORY LAW BOOK. 

In their young manhood Major Bradley and George R. McKee, 
attended a court before Squire Dan Ray in Garrard county. 

The Squire was a man of large physical proportions and exceed- 
ingly proud of the fact that his grandfather had been a Revolutionary 
soldier. If there was anything on earth that he hated worse than a 
Tory the fact was never made known. 

McKee, in making his argument for the plaintiff, read liberally 
from Blackstone's Commentaries, which fully sustained his conten- 
tioji. Major Bradley seeing that the Squire was seriously impressed, 
and knowing that the law was unfavorable to his client, hit upon a 
happy expedient ; so, when he arose, he reminded the court of the 
Revolutionary War and tlie distinction that his grandfather had won 



Stories of JVilliam O. Bradley. 107 

on the battlefield. He alluded in terms of praise to the courage and 
patriotism of the Squire and exclaimed : 

"I know that you will not only be surprised but grieved and 
insulted as well, when I tell you that Mr. McKee has attempted to im- 
pose upon you by reading from a Tory law book." 

He then turned to the title page and showed the court who 
Blackstone was, and that the book was published in London, England. 
The old Squire's face grew white and in a voice broken with anger, 
he addressed McKee: 

"McKee, if I was in Lancaster I would send you to jail, but under 
the circumstances I cannot do this as I have no jail here. I will have 
you to know, however, that you have burnt your shirt with me, and 
that I don't want you ever to come before me again : — Judgment for 
the defendant.^' 

STILLBORN AT THAT. 

Major Bradley was astonished when the wife of a local minister 
came into his office and asked him to institute for her an action for 
divorce on the ground that her husband had cruelly beaten her. The 
Major had always regarded the preacher as a most exemplary Chris- 
tian, and hence expressed the desire to see and talk with him before 
taking any action, to which the wife cheerfully agreed. The next 
day he called the minister into his office, and on inquiry ascertained 
the charges of the wife to be true. He expressed his grief and aston- 
ishment, and then said to the preacher : 

"You old hypocrite, go at once into the secrecy of your closet and 
pray to the Lord for forgiveness, and do not stop at that, but pray 
to him that you may be born again, and stillborn at that." 

THE WRITING IN THE SAND. 

Judge Owsley, while practicing at the Garrard bar, instituted 
a suit against the Land boys for burning down a cabin on the farm 
of Joe Ray and driving out, without shelter, a woman of improper 
character, who was living in the house. Joe Ray was the active 
manager for plaintiff in the case, and was doubtless responsible for 
the suit. 

Major Bradley filed an answer, admitting the charges in the peti- 
tion, but alleging that the woman was of bad character, and had been 
for some time conducting herself improperly with Ray who was the 
brother-in-law of defendants; that the cabin was in plain view of 
Ray's house where their sister constantly witnessed the visits of her 
husband to the plaintiff; that the plaintiff was a common nuisance 



io8 Stones of William 0. Bradley. 

in the neighborhood, and that they were acting in defense of their 
sister, and in the interest of public morals, &c, &c'. 

Judge Owsley made a very handsome speech, and, in concluding. 
referred to the scriptural instance in which the multitude cried out 
against the scarlet woman, whereupon the Savior stooped down and 
with his finger wrote on the ground, "it never having been known" 
said Owsley "what he wrote ; and lifting himself up, said : 'He that 
is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her!' and the 
multitude disappeared." 

Major Bradley, in his speech, said that Owsley was mistaken 
when he said that no one knew what the Savior wrote on the ground. 
Said he : "It was a prophecy, and it was in these words : 

" 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, v/hen the weak things 
of the earth shall rise up and govern the mighty, that Joseph, whose 
surname is Ray, shall bring a scarlet woman upon his lands for im- 
proper purposes ; whereupon the neighborhood shall cry aloud against 
her, and his brothers-in-law in defense of their sister shall rise up in 
the night time and go forth and drive the woman out, and shall burn 
her house, and sow the ground with salt ; by reason of which Joseph 
shall become greatly angered and shall induce Michael, whose sur- 
name is Owsley, to make complaint before the rulers. 

" 'And it shall come to pass that the jury shall retire to their room, 
and after a short while shall return the following verdict: — 'We the 
jury find for the defendant.' There shall then be great weeping and 
wailing and gnashing of teeth with Joseph, but it shall avail nothing.' 

"Now ;" said Major Bradley, "Gentlemen, you can take the case ;" 
and in less time than it has taken to relate this story the jury returned 
the verdict as predicted. 

BUGOLOGY. 

In the days of Know Nothingism, Hon. Robert W. Woolley went 
to Danville, Kentucky, to make a Democratic speech. A joint debate 
was arranged between him and Major Bradley. 

In the beginning Mr. Woolley said that he congratulated himself 
on the fact that he was to be followed by a "Big Bug." Responding. 
Major Bradley said that he did not know whether this remark was to 
be taken as a compliment or an insult. Said he : 

"I have been puzzling my mind to determine what kind of bug 
the gentleman is. He can not be a June-bug, for this is not the 
proper season for them. He can not be a Doodle-bug for it lives in 
the ground. He can not be a Chinch-bug for it flies over the earth. 
I have, therefore, been forced to the conclusion that he is a 'Hum- 
bug.' " 



Stories of William 0. Bradley. 109 

LYNAM'S NOSE. 

Charles Lynam, of Garrard county, had a very long and large 
nose. Becoming involved in an altercation with Billy Green, the 
latter, with a hoe, chopped off a considerable portion of Lynam's 
nose. For this alleged injury Lynam sued Green for five thousand 
dollars. Green employed Major Bradley to defend the suit, who in- 
terposed the defense that Lynam had sustained no injury, but, on the 
contrary, had received a substantial benefit on account of the great 
improvement of his appearance. 

MORE TALK ABOUT PARISH TEATER. 

George Hoarhammer, of Garrard county, a medium sized man, 
was many years ago severely whipped with switches by Parish Teater, 
who was a giant in strength and stature. During the fight he stabbed 
Teater, for which he was indicted. He employed Governor Robert 
P. Letcher and Major Robert Bradley to defend him, and affectionately 
alluded to them as his "two Robins." The argument of his attorneys 
pleased him, and he was promptly acquitted. After the verdict had 
been returned, he called his attorneys into a room adjoining the court- 
room, and asked them if they could not obtain a new trial for him. 

"Why, man," said Governor Letcher, "you have been acquitted; 
what on earth do you want a new trial for?" 

"Well," said Hoarhammer, "because I want to hear my two 
Robins have some more talk about Parish Teater." 

THE JACKSON DOG STORY. 

Major Bradley told the following, among his many good stories: 

"There had been a large scope of territory in Madison and other 
counties where the people were far distant from any courthouse, and 
were put to great trouble to attend court. In that section there were 
but few people who had ever attended Circuit Court, or ever seen a 
Circuit Judge. This portion of the country was mountainous and in 
those days had very poor, substantially, no school facilities. 

"Under these circumstances the Legislature created from this 
territory a new county, composed of parts of Estill, Owsley, Clay, 
Laurel, Rockcastle and Madison counties, naming it Jackson, and 
attached it to the circuit of Judge Pearl. 

"I determined to accompany Judge Pearl to the opening of the 
new court. We rode horseback and traversed much rough territory. 
In some way it had been noised abroad that the Judge would pass 
through the county on Sunday before the opening of the court. 



no Stories of Williatn O. Bradley. 

"The Judge was a short, fat man, slow of locomotion and was 
greatl)' impressed with the dignity of his office. 

"As we proceeded we found in several localities large crowds 
awaiting the coming of the Judge, who saluted him with great en- 
thusiasm. At length a man yelled out: 'How air ye, Mister Pearl?* 
The Judge stopped his horse, gave the man a severe look, and said : 
'Mister Pearl, Mister Pearl, you durned fool, don't you know your 
own Judge?' 

"When, on Monday morning, we reached the top of the hill 
overlooking the town, we saw it was filled with people, and as we 
rode into tlie place we found more dogs congregated than I ever saw 
before ; there must have been from three to five hundred. It seemed 
that every man in the county was there with his wife, children and 
dogs. 

"We passed slowly through the throng to the little tavern kept 
by Mr. Cogar, dismounted, and were conducted into the house. A 
perfect mass of struggling humanity and snarling dogs had assembled 
in a semi-circle around the porch. The Judge knowing that he was 
the object of attention, to gratify the crowd as well as his personal 
vanity, sat down in a chair on the porch, leaned back against the wall, 
and talked in a sonorous voice with Cogar. The people crowded up 
to the porch, and listened intently and wonderingly to the first Circuit 
Judge they had ever seen. The little children would cry out : 'I can't 
see him, pap, hold me up ;' and the women complained that the men 
standing in front obscured their vision. 

"Now, the Judge in order to make a favorable impression, had 
arrayed himself in a brand-new suit of broadcloth. 

"In the midst of the confusion I went out the back way where I 
observed a drove of dogs. Passing around behind the crowd I saw 
even more dogs than ever, and all the dogs were very much excited, 
scratching up the earth, performing every trick common to dogs, 
growling and barking at a furious rate. They seemed to be more or 
less of the bench-fice breed, some large and some small, but with long 
bodies, short legs and enormous tails, tightly cinded over their backs. 
In some instances as many as twenty dogs would rub against one 
man's leg as they wormed in and out among the crowd. But so intent 
were the men in listening to every word that fell from the Judge's 
lips that they were totally oblivious of the conduct of the dogs. 

"About this time I saw a man advancing in the rear of the crowd 
with an unusually large black dog, of a different breed to any that I 
had observed. The other dogs resented the arrival of the stranger 
and spranjr at him in large numbers. The strange dog undertook to 



Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. ill 

escape by running between the legs of the men, tumbHng them over 
right and left. Finally the strange dog reached the porch with other 
dogs pursuing him, and running under the chair of the Judge, upset 
it, causing him to fall to the floor, flat on his back, and the dogs met 
and fought over his prostrate form. I never saw such a knot of dogs 
in my life. The growls and barks of the dogs were mingled with 
the curses and shouts of the men. The Judge yelled at the top of his 
voice: 'Take 'em off, take 'em off!' and the men commenced pulling 
them out by the tails or the ears until, at length, the Judge, his broad- 
cloth coat covered with dirt and foam, scrambled to his feet, and in 
company with Cogar, rushed into the house. Immediately the crowd 
filled the porch in a wild rush, determined to see more of the Judge. 

"A man standing near the open door of the Judge's room, listen- 
ing to his conversation, tramped on a dog's foot, causing the animal 
to howl with pain, whereupon the dogs charged in great numbers, 
rushing through the doorway, barking and growling at a terrific rate. 
It was summer time and the windows in the Judge's room, which 
were near the ground, were open, and the dogs in the rear of the house, 
hearing the noise, poured through the windows and into the room, in 
great numbers. I was on the outside and ran up and looked through 
the window and saw the Judge standing on a chair in the corner of 
the room, evidently greatly alarmed, and shouting: 'Take 'em out, 
take 'em out!' 

''There were hundreds of dogs on the outside struggling to get 
in, while the men entered the windows and commenced pulling their 
dogs out by the hind legs. Meanwhile Cogar, in some way, got Pearl 
through a trap door and I turned away, got my horse from the stable 
and left the town. As I rode away I looked up and saw the Judge on 
the roof of the tavern, holding on like grim death, v^hile all 'round 
could be heard shouts, growls, barks and curses, loud and deep. 

"The next day I learned that the Judge had weathered the storm. 

I having received a few inconsequential scratches, but that two n>en 

had been killed, who became involved in a difficulty over their dogs." 

A REPEATER. 

Former Governor J. Proctor Knott ran against Hon. Thomas 
L. Jones for the nomination for Governor in 1883. In presenting his 
claim, Mr. Jones told how he had campaigned for the Democratic 
party for twenty years consecutively, at his own expense having made 
one hundred speeches in the previous campaign. 

In replying Governor Knott said that the gentleman, in order to 
confine himself to the truth, should make a change in his statement 



112 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

so that, instead of saying that he had made one hundred speeches, he 
should say that he had made one speech a hundred times. 

CONTEMPT BARRED BY LIMITATION. 

"In one of the southern counties of Kentucky, many years ago," 
said Wilbur F. Browder, one of Kentucky's most distinguished law- 
yers, "there was an unlettered Justice of the Peace — a not infrequent 
thing in those days in that section of the Commonwealth. 

"At one of his courts, there appeared before him a young member 
of the bar, of the county seat, who was exceedingly bright and full 
of good humor, who, in the course of his argument, said something 
which offended the dignity of the court, and was thereupon promptly 
fined for contempt. The young lawyer, in a very dignified manner, 
said that he knew the court was anxious to proceed in strict 
conformity to the law on the subject, and suggested the proper thing 
to do was to issue a rule against him, citing him to appear before his 
honor within a reasonable time and show cause, if he could, why he 
should not be punished for contempt. 

"Thereupon the Justice ruled the young gentleman to appear 
before him that afternoon at 4 o'clock, to show cause. At the hour 
designated the young man filed the following: 

'Justice's Court of Squire Noffsinger. 
October Term 1879. 
Commonwealth of Kentucky, ---------- Plaintiff 

vs. RESPONSE. 

Y. H. Williams, -------------- Defendant 

Now comes the defendant, Y. H. Williams, and for response 
states, that the cause of complaint set out in the rule herein is barred 
by the statute of limitation, for the reason that the respondent has 
had contempt for this court for more than five consecutive years last 
past, and he therefore relies upon the lapse of time and the statute of 
limitation in such cases made and provided, in bar of any recovery 
against him in this case. 

Y. H. Williams, Respondent.' 

"Tlie Justice could not understand how it was possible for him 
to deny the relief prayed for. While not fully appreciating the genuine 
humor of the response, he felt sure that the young lawyer had him 
where he could not escape, so he sustained the plea of limitation, dis- 
missed the rule at his own personal costs, and asked everybody present 
to go over to the adjoining bar-room and take a drink at his expense." 



Stories of William O. Bradley. II3 

A PAR OF CO-IN-CI-DENCES. 

In the case of Shiel against four railroad companies, tried be- 
fore Judge Knapp, of the Inter-State Commerce Commission in Chi- 
cago, in arguing the case. Senator Bradley said of the four railroad 
companies : 

"That each raised the freight five cents and each gave notice on 
the same day of its action, is proof conclusive of conspiracy. Possibly, 
they may account for it in the same way that a lawyer in the feud- 
infested district of Kentucky accounted for a killing. The evidence 
showed that two men, each coming from different directions, armed 
with guns, arrived at a cross-roads at the same hour, and about a half- 
hour before their victim who daily passed that point at that time in 
going to his business ; and that when the latter arrived, they promptly 
fired into him, killing him instantly. The defendant's attorney treated 
the evidence with great levity. Said he : 

" 'Gentlemen of the jury, there are absolutely nuthin' in this case. 
S'pose my clients both did go thar from different directions and retch 
thar at the same time and shoot Bill Jones and kill him — it is nuthin' 
more nor less than a par of co-in-ci-dences, and the court no-whar 
tells you that co-in-ci-dence is agin' the law.' " 

JUDGE GUFFY. 

Judge B. L. D. Guft'y, of Morgantown, Kentucky, was a most 
eccentric and original character. He located in Butler county many 
years ago, was County Judge, and, late in life, a Judge of the Court 
of Appeals. He was a sound lawyer, an honest man, and a great story 
teller. He very much resembled Abraham Lincoln in appearance, and 
some of his stories were akin to those told by Lincoln. 

PECULIAR SIGN. 

When the Judge commenced the practice of law, he obtained the 
widest plank that could be found and painted his law sign upon it, 
as follows : 

"WAKE, SNAKES, AND COME TO TAW ! 
B. L. D. GUFFY, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW." 

KIVERED TOO MUCH TERRITORY. 
The Judge told the following among his many good stories : 
"One county court day a stranger came to Morgantown some- 
what under the influence of liquor. He had been there but a short 
while when he announced in a loud voice : *I can whip any man that 
lives in Morgantown.' No one paid any attention to him. After 



114 Stories of IVilliain O. Bradley. 

taking another drink he returned to the center of the square and 
announced : 'I can whip any man that lives in Butler county.' Again 
his remark was unnoticed. He returned to the one-eyed grocery on 
the corner and, loading up a little more, came back on the square and 
announced: 'I can whip any man that lives in Kaintucky.* 

"Thereupon, a strapping young fellow from Bowling Green, in 
the adjoining county of Warren, jumped on him, bore him to the 
ground, and beat him up to the Queen's taste. The crowd now inter- 
ferred and separated them ; whereupon, the stranger struggled to 
his feet, wiped the dust and blood from his face, and exclaimed : 

" 'Gentlemen, excuse me, but in that last remark I kivered too 
d — d much territory.' " 

A FRANK SINNER. 

Judge Guffy told a story of a big revival that took place in his 
county. Many people joined the church, and on one occasion a large 
number surrounded the altar to be prayed for, among them old Jim 
Dobbs. He was praying in a loud tone: 

"Oh, Lord, I never committed murder ; I never stole anything ; 
I never burnt any man's house; but, oh, Lord, what a liar I have 
been!" 

HAD TO CLIMB THE TREE. 

When Belknap defeated Willson for the Republican nomination 
for Governor in 1903, (in Kentucky), there was considerable ill-feeling 
manifested ; it being claimed by Willson's friends that he had been 
unfairly beaten, and some of them declared that they would not vote 
for Belknap. 

Judge Guffy was an ardent supporter of Willson, and the day 
following the convention was asked whether he would vote for 
Belknap. Said he : 

"I am much in the fix of Snyder's pig. -Snyder was a well to do 
farmer in my county who had a son who was an eighteen-karat liar. 
He was the source of profound mortification to his father, who tried 
by remonstrance, advice, and finally by cow-hide, to reform him ; but 
all in vain. 

"One day Tom rushed into the house and exclaimed. Tap, you 
know that'ar spotted pig of ourn?' 'Certainly,' replied the father, 
'what about him?' 'Why,' said Tom, 'old Towze run arter him a 
while ago, and to get away he clum a tree.' 

" 'Oh, Lord,' groaned the father, 'Tom, won't you never stop 
tellin' lies?' 



Stories of William 0. Bradley. 115 

"Tom replied : 

'Pap it haint no lie, old Towze, kept a-gainin' an' a-gainin' on 
the pig, and had opened his mouth to bite him in the ham, and that ar 
pig was jest bound to clime a tree.' " 

ANECDOTES ARE PUBLIC PROPERTY. 

Senator Bradley related this story to the late Senator Bob Taylor, 
who, in making a speech in the Senate a few days after, appropriated 
it, locating it in Memphis, Tennessee. Senator Bradley remonstrated 
with him, when Senator Taylor replied : 

"Anecdotes are public property. I take all I hear, and shall 
not complain when like treatment is meted out to me." 

COME OUT THE SAME HOLE HE WENT IN. 

Davy Crockett, who fell at the Alamo, for a time represented a 
Tennessee district in Congress. Above all things he had a contempt 
for vain and empty-pated men. At the time he was in Congress he had 
a colleague of the type mentioned. This young man sat behind a 
desk immediately adjoining Crockett. During one of the sessions 
he arose with his coat buttoned tightly around him, and delivered 
himself as follows : 

"Mr. Speaker, my opinion is that the generality of mankind in 
general are generally opposed to the generality of mankind in general." 

Davy seized him by the coat tail and exclaimed : 

"Sit down, you d d fool ; you came out at the same hole you 

went in." 

A SWIFT PACE. 

A negro testifying in a Kentucky court against another negro, 
whom he had had indicted for maliciously shooting at him, without 
woimding, said: 

"In the percedin' June while I wuz doin' nothin' and sayin' nothin' 
and not thinkin' nothin', dat wuthless niggah drawed his pistol and 
shot at me, and he cum mity close to me for I heerd the bullet whiz 
as it passed my year ; — 'deed, Jedge, I heerd dat bullet whiz two times." 

The attorney for defendant, desiring to impress the jury with this 
remarkable statement, asked : 

"Are you certain you heard that bullet whiz twice?" 

"Deed I is, boss," replied the witness. 

"Now," said the attorney, "tell the jury when you heard it each 
time?" 

"Well, boss, when I heerd dat bullit whiz de fust time it was 
a-passin' me, and when I heerd it whiz de next time, I was a-passin' it." 



Il6 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

A DOG EXPERT. 

Squire Joe Porch was a hare-lipped shoemaker and Justice of the 
Peace, residing in Somerset, Kentucky. He was a great wag. He 
professed, and was believed by many to be, an expert judge of dogs, 
and those desiring to purchase, frequently paid him for giving an 
opinion. 

One day an awkward country boy brought a large dog to town 
in order to procure Porch's judgment. Porch walked all around the 
dog, eyeing him minutely, and then delivered himself : 

"Young man, you don't want to buy that dog. In the first place 
his jew claws come out too close to the ground. In the next place 
his tail don't curl over his back to the right place to insure his 
proper balance while in action. And, in the last place, his nose is not 
built for smelling as it should be. Why, sir, that dog would set down 
on the ground and wear out a hundred tails barkin' up a tree whgre 
there never was a coon." 

DRAW POKER SCHOOL, 

The first and only poker school that ever existed was established 
by Porch. Being himself a remarkably fine poker player, he conceived 
the idea of teaching the boys how to play draw poker, and at the 
same time earning an honest penny. He induced a number of bright 
young fellows to take lessons, among them an unusually shrewd 
young man named Charlie Zachary. He was to give them six lessons 
for a dollar and fifty cents each. He told them that at the end of that 
period they would be qualified, and they would have a game, each 
man to bring with him two dollars and no more, and that in order to 
give tone to the affair, he would join them in the game. 

It was further arranged that all the money that was brought by 
the class should be placed in the hands of the four graduates to bet 
for the class, the winnings to be equally divided among all the mem- 
bers. 

The Squire delivered lectures every night, the substance of which 
was about as follows : 

"Gentlemen, the game of draw poker, when played according to 
my rules, will enable you to own coal mines, steamboats, railroads 
and great landed estates ; and if you strictly follow my directions, 
you are now on the high road that leads to fortune and renown. If you 
are in a game, no matter where or when, never, never, come in, when 
a man stands pat. I have seen more men ruined in calling pat hands 
than I have time to enumerate. It is the most dangerous thing in 
'Draw' and the only way to be safe is to stay out." 



Stories of William 0. Bradley. H/ 

He would then explain flushes, straights, royal flushes, pairs, 
full hands, threes, fours, etc., etc., giving the value of each as com- 
pared with the others, and indicated to them how to judge of a man's 
hand from the number of cards he drew. 

At length the eventful night arrived, and a considerable number 
of spectators assembled in the large dining room of the hotel to wit- 
ness the game. The four graduates and the Squire took seats at 
the table, and all their money was put up, except five dollars which 
Zachary had retained, a fact unknown to the others. The cards were 
dealt, and the draw commenced, the Squire standing pat and Zachary, 
who immediately followed him, taking one card. The other players 
threw up their hands. The Squire nodded to a friend in the audience 
who came over and loaned him a dollar, which the Squire threw down 
on the table saying, "I'll bet a dollar." 

Zachary then drew his five dollars from his vest pocket, and 
threw it on the table saying, "1 see you, and raise you four dollars." 

The crowd applauded vigorously. 

The Squire, seeing the jig was up, having only a pair of deuces, 
threw up his hand in disgust, exclaiming : 

"The exercises are over, the audience is dismissed ; — that d d 

fellow Zachary has more sense than I have." 

Zachary picked up the money and threw down his hand, which 
was worthless. 

GRADING LAWYERS' FEES. 

Milton L. Rice, of Barbourville, Kentucky, a lawyer, was a man 
of great force, a full-blooded Irishman by descent, having inherited 
the ready wit peculiar to his people. 

A man indicted for murder who owned a considerable estate, but 
who was very penurious, sought him out for employment, telling him 
he had engaged other lawyers for the preparation and management of 
his case, and inquiring what was the least he would charge merely 
to sit by and make a speech. 

Rice replied : "Before I can answer your question I will have to 
ascertain what character of a speech you desire, as I make several 
kinds of speeches. I make one of a half hour's length that is a fair 
speech for which I charge fifty dollars. Then I make another better 
speech of an hour's length for which I charge one hundred dollars. 
But, if you want a real speech, a regular spellbinder, replete with 
oratory and the highest order of logic — my charge is two hundred and 
fifty dollars. Now, my friend, tell me what sort of a speech you 
desire?" 



ii8 Stories of IVilUam 0. Bradley. 

The client, after a few moments of deliberation, answered : 
"Well, Milt, your price is high, but I'll take the best you have 
in your shop." 

LACK OF DISCRIMINATION. 

In the same town there lived an attorney of excitable tempera- 
ment, who would, in every case, big or little, make the same amount 
of noise. On answering one of his speeches, Rice, commenting upon 
his peculiarity, said: 

"My friend S makes as much racket and grows as much 

excited when he is pursuing a mouse as he does when in full chase 
of a buffalo." 

EMBARRASSING SITUATION. 

Judge Durham was in the court house in Lancaster talking with 
his friend, W. J. Lusk. An imposing-looking man, with curly hair 
hanging almost to his shoulders, walked into the room, accompanied 
by a tall, slender man. Durham, turning to Lusk, remarked : 

"That is the vilest looking man I ever saw. I would dislike to be 
in the dark with him if he knew I had ten dollars." 

"I am sorry to hear you say that." said Lusk, "as that is Andrew 
Conn, and he is a relative of my wife." 

"Pardon me," said Durham, "but which of the two men did you 
think I referred to?" 

"The larger man with the long hair," rejoined Lusk. 

"Oh," said Durham, "that is not the man, the tall, slender man is 
the one I spoke of." 

"Well," replied Lusk, "that does not help matters, for he is my 
brother John." 

Durham was very much embarrassed and confused, and, in a 
hesitating manner, finally said : 

"Well, Lusk, the truth is I didn't mean either of them." 

THE DISGUSTED JURYMAN. 

Many years ago Henry Clay made a great speech in a murder trial 
at Lexington. As the jury filed out of the court room to consider 
their verdict, some of them were overcome by Clay's pathetic con- 
clusion, the old foreman weeping copiously, A little eight-by-ten 
lawyer sprang up and moved the court for a rule against Jake Ousen, 
surveyor of road district No. 6. This motion, following the great 
speech of Clay, was regarded by the foreman as nothing less than an 
outrage. So, turning to the court, with his eyes filled with tears, and 



Stories of IVilHmn 0. Bradley. IIQ 

his large bandana in his hand, he exclaimed at the top of his voice : 
"Kill him, Judge, kill him !" 

HENRY CLAY'S ADVICE. 

When Mr. Clay was in the midst of a Congressional campaign 
he met an old friend who informed him, much to his astonishment, 
that he was against him. Of course Clay inquired his reason, and v/as 
promptly told that he (Clay) had given a vote for which he could 
not forgive him. 

Mr. Clay remarked : "John, I have given many votes since I went 
to Congress; is this the only one you condemn?" 

"Yes," responded his friend. 

"Well," said Mr. Clay in that magnetic manner which was irresist- 
ible, "John, you are quite an old man and have been a famous hunter 
in your day. Did you ever have 3^our old flint-rock rifle to flash in 
the pan?" 

"Frequently," responded John. 

"Well, what did you do?" inquired Clay. 

"Why," replied John, "I picked the lock and tried her again." 

"Then," said Clay, "can you not treat me in the same manner, and 
now that you have set me right, will you not try me again?" 

The old man grasped Clay by the hand, and exclaimed : 

"Yes, Henry, you have hit the nail on the head." 

SEVERE REPROOF. 

One exceedingly dark and rainy night in 1896, Senator Bradley 
was addressing a large crowd at Liederkranz Hall in Louisville. An 
ill-bred ruffian interrupted him several times, and the cry of "put 
him out" was raised, and several men started toward the offender 
for that purpose. Bradley remonstrated : 

"My friends, do not expose him to the elements and add to the 
darkness of the night !" 

THE MODEST YOUNG MAN. 

Judge George Denny, when quite a young man, ran against Squire 
James Patterson, a Garrard county farmer, for County Judge. Judge 
Denny was a bold, forceful fellow who did not mince words and was 
always ready to talk. In his speech he answered Patterson's objection 
that he was too young a man to be Judge by telling what Napoleon, 
Washington, and other great men accomplished at an early age. 

Patterson, responding, said: 



120 Stories of William. O. Bradley. 

"Why, fellow citizens, you remember when Washington performed 
his first military service. Congress passed a resolution of thanks. He 
arose to acknowledge the compliment, but was so embarrassed he 
could not speak, when Air. Adams exclaimed, 'Sit down, Mr. Washing- 
ton, your bravery is equalled alone by your modesty.' But, fellow 
citizens, if that had been George Denny, he would have been speaking 
yet." 

EQUALLY INTELLIGENT. 

A certain Circuit Judge in Kentucky, who was by no means 
famous for ability, was on bad terms with one of the attorneys of 
his court. The Judge, while the attorney was addressing him, in 
order to show his contempt, placed his feet on the desk before him 
and leaned back in his chair. The attorney was a bright, courageous 
man, and keenly felt the insult. So he remarked : 

"I see that your honor has your feet elevated above your head. 
However, it is a matter of indifference to me, because you have as 
much intellect and courtesy in one end as you have in the other." 

GOOD EVIDENCE. 

Jonathan Jones, who was testifying in the Jessamine circuit 
court, on being asked by Mr. Houston if he was certain he knew the 
horse in controversy, replied : 

"I know him just as well as I know your name is Houston." 

Said Houston, in a rough manner : 

"How do you know, sir, that is my name?" 

"Because," replied Jones, "when court adjourned for dinner, I 
heard Major Downing say to you, 'come on, Houston, let's go and take 
a drink.' and you went." 

A LUCID INTERVAL. 

The Democrats had elected a Commonwealth's Attorney in the 
Eighth Kentucky District, who was rather a slow, but loud, talker. 
When circuit court came on at Lancaster he was promptly in at- 
tendance. 

Keg Mason, a fat, round-faced, jolly, smart fellow, was the Demo- 
cratic Clerk, and deeply interested in the impression the new officer 
should make. So, when his friend commenced his speech. Keg listened 
intently. After some considerable labor, the attorney said something 
that caused a ripple of laughter. Keg turned excitedly to a friend v/ho 
was standing close beside him, and, slapping him on the shoulder, 
exclaimed : 

"There, now, by gosh, he has struck a lucid interval !" 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 121 

DREAMED HE WAS A MONKEY. 

Thirty years ago a little dancing master came to Lancaster. One 
night he imbibed too freely, and the next morning exhibited his swol- 
len head to Hufifman, the landlord, and told him the cause of it : 

"You know that bedstead with the tall posts that is in my room ? 
Well, last night just before I retired, these posts looked taller to me 
than ever before; indeed, they seemed to me to have increased at 
least three times in height. That is the last thing I thought of before 
I fell asleep. After I had been sleeping for some time, I dreamed 
that I was a monkey, and concluded I would climb up one of the tall 
posts, and wrap my tail around the top, and hang head down for the 
entertainment of a number of people who were admiring my perform- 
ances. So, I climbed up to the top of the post, wrapped my tail 
around it and hung down ; whereupon, I fell to the floor on my head — 
which was the first intimation I had that I was not a monkey." 

DULANEY AND THE HOUND. 

Judge B was Judge of a Common Pleas Court in Western 

Kentucky, and afterwards Judge of the Court of Appeals. He was a 
slow, deliberate man, of rugged honesty and substantial legal ability. 
At times, during a considerable portion of his life, he drank to excess. 
He was running for Common Pleas Judge against Judge Dulaney, 
who was a very accomplished man. The race was a close one, and in 

passing through one of the counties of the District, B stopped 

for dinner at the home of Captain C , who was a wealthy farmer 

and famous fox hunter. 

It was then only a few days until the election, and he believed that 
unless he could get the support of the Captain he would be defeated. 
The Captain was not at home, but his excellent wife entertained the 
Judge with a good dinner. While they were seated at the table, she 
told the Judge that Mr. Dulaney had sent her husband a fine .fox 
hound that had arrived a few hours before. The Judge saw in a 
moment that something must be done to counteract this play of his 
opponent, so looking at Mrs. C very earnestly, with an ex- 
pression of deep concern on his face, he exclaimed : 

"Why, Mrs. C , you are surely mistaken. Judge Dulaney 

could not have sent the dog." 

She replied that she was not mistaken; that Judge Dulaney had 
taken dinner with them two weeks before and promised to send the 
dog; which promise he had complied with that very day. She then 

insisted that Judge B tell her what he meant by saying that 

Judge Dulaney could not have sent the dog. The Judge begged to be 



122 Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 

excused but she, woman-like, insisted that he should answer. Finally, 
he replied : 

"Now, madam, being a candidate against Judge Dulaney I naturally 
hesitate to say or do anything that might injure him, lest I should be 
suspicioned of taking unfair advantage ; but the truth is the truth, and 
as the lives of yourself and family are in imminent danger, it seems 
proper that I should give you my reason. As you know, Judge Dulaney 
has a large pack of hounds. About a week ago, one of his dogs went 
mad and bit several of the pack, one of which has since developed an 
aggravated case of hydrophobia, and" — 

. Before the Judge could finish the sentence Mrs. C rushed 

to the door and calling one of the work hands, excitedly ordered : 
"Get your gun immediately and kill that Dulaney hound ! When 

election day comes Captain C will teach him how to endanger 

the lives of our family." 

When the Judge left she thanked him for his kindness, and 
assured him of her husband's support. The Judge rode away with 
a quiet chuckle, saying to himself: 

. "C won't have time to confer with Dulaney until after the 

election, when I will be elected, the hound dead, and the joke will be 
fully appreciated." 

IN A BAD FIX. 

At one period during the Judge's career he was drinking to such 
an alarming extent that his friends became uneasy about him, and 
determined in a practical way to give him a substantial warning. An 
organ-grinder was in town and they induced him to place his monkey 
in the room at the hotel where the Judge was asleep, and leave him 
until the Judge awakened ; when, it was taken for granted, he would 
claim he had seen a monkey ; whereupon his friends would say there 
was no monkey there (having the Italian ready to step in behind 
them and carry the monkey off) ; and in this way would convince the 
Judge that he had delirium tremens, and thus alarm him so greatly 
that he would change his course. 

However, it happened that the Judge awakened a little before it 
was expected. They heard him say, while standing at the door: 

"If you are not a monkey, I am in a d d bad fix, and if you 

are a monkey, you are in a d d bad fix ;" and they rushed in barely 

in time to prevent him from braining the monkey with a poker. 

ONLY ONE AT A TIME. 

A friend of the Judge's from Paducah, while in Frankfort, in the 
midst of a conversation told him that a Mr. B , of his town. 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 123 

had recently become offended at him and was so mad he had not 
spoken to him for a week. To his astonishment, the Judge remarked, 
he was glad to hear it. His friend asked: 

"Why are you glad to hear it?" 

"Because," replied the Judge, "he will make friends with me now, 
for he hasn't sense enough to be mad at more than one man at a time." 

PREDESTINATION. 

In the pioneer days there lived in Kentucky an earnest, faithful, 
and able old Presbyterian preacher, Isaiah Whitaker, One morning 
he left his home forgetting his rifle. In a few moments he returned. 
His wife asked him what had brought him back, and he informed her 
he had forgotten his gun, 

"Why," said she, "that makes no difference, if your religion is 
correct, for if the Lord foreordained that you should die today, you 
can do nothing to prevent it." 

"That is all true," replied Whitaker, "but the Lord may have 
foreordained that I should kill an Indian today, and I could not do it 
if I didn't have my gun." 

HIS WIT SAVED HIM. 

During the Civil War there lived near Danville, Kentucky, a queer 
genius named Berry Pitman. In early manhood he indicated great 
promise. He was a natural orator, and acquired considerable distinc- 
tion. Unfortunately, his head was turned and he became a quick and 
easy prey of whiskey. The result was he lost his health, became 
afflicted with locomotor ataxia, was reduced to a living skeleton, and 
was totally destitute. 

A company of Union soldiers was passing through the town, and 
Pitman defiantly yelled : "Hurrah for Jeff Davis !" 

The Captain ordered a Sergeant to go with three men, arrest and 
bring Pitman before him to be dealt with. He was promptly arrested 
and dragged (for he was barely able to walk), before the Captain, 
who ordered that he should be placed under arrest indefinitely. Pitman 
cut a pathetic figure, diseased and ragged, as he was. 

Said he: "Captain, why do you give this order?" 

The Captain answered: "Because you are trying to break up 
the best Government the world ever saw." 

Pitman, reeling in his tracks, remarked : "Captain, if the best Gov- 
ernment the world ever saw can be injured by a poor, drunken, friend- 
less, worthless cripple, like me, then I say, d n such a Government." 



124 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

The Captain, convulsed with laughter, ordered his immediate 
release. 

"YOU DON'T KNOW ME/' 

All men when advanced in years, experience great difficulty in 
recognizing young men who change very rapidly as they grow older. 
However, when they are addressed by these young fellows, they speak 
as if they recognize them, disliking to admit they do not know them. 
Nothing is more disagreeable than for the young man to insist that 
he is not known. 

Not long ago Senator Bradley met a young fellow, and the fol- 
lowing dialogue ensued: 

Young Man: "How are you. Senator?" 

Bradley : "How are you ; glad to see you again." 

Young Man: "You don't know me, do you?" 

Bradley: "Why, of course I do." 

Young Man: "What is my name?" 

The Senator did not recall it, and was vexed by the young man's 
persistence ; so, with a severe look, he said : 

"Well, sir, when I tell a man that I know him and he disputes 
my word, I am forced to one of two conclusions ; either that he thinks 
I am so old and worn out that I am incapable of recognizing an ac- 
quaintance, which is an insult to me ; or, he thinks that he is of suffic- 
ient importance to be recognized by everybody, and he is not, which 
is by no means complimentary to him." 

ANOTHER V/AY OF PUTTING IT. 

And while on this subject another like occurrence which took place 
in Crab Orchard, Kentucky, some years ago, may be related. 

An old doctor was approached by a young man who insisted, 
after the doctor claimed to recognize him, that the doctor did not know 
him, and that he should tell his name. The old doctor, carefully 
adjusting his spectacles, remarked : 

"Young man, you must excuse me, for these spectacles are so 
confusing that many times I can't tell one d d fool from another." 

A FINE LEGAL DISTINCTION. 

In the distant past, Nicholas Sandifer was Judge of the Garrard 
county court. He was a shoemaker by trade, but nevertheless very 
dignified, and a man of force and rare common sense. 

He was holding an examining trial of Maria Lusk, a negro 
woman (whose character was by no means good for honesty), on a 
charge of grand larceny. The evidence was very weak, amounting 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 125 

to comparatively nothing. At its conclusion, in a very dignified man- 
ner, he delivered this judgment: 

"Maria, as Nick Sandifer, knowing you as well as I do, I am 
of opinion that you are guilty ; but as Nicholas Sandifer, Judge of the 
Garrard county court, having in view the rules of evidence, I am 
of the opinion that you are not guilty ; you are therefore discharged." 

A CURT REQUEST. 

Hon. Bland Ballard, Judge of the United States District Court 
of Kentucky, was a learned judge, but not without fault. He was 
high tempered and dictatorial, and when he did not desire to listen 
to an argument, plied the attorney with questions until he compelled 
him to cease. 

Hon. James F. Robinson, ex-Governor of Kentucky, had a simi- 
lar temperament and, besides, at times took a little more liquid re- 
freshment than was absolutely necessary to his well being. 

Whilst in this condition he was making an argument before Judge 
Ballard, who was anxious to get rid of him, and fired question after 
question, until Robinson, losing all control, roared out at him : 

"Well, sir, if you know the story better than I do, tell it ; if you 
don't, dry up, and let me tell it !" 

NO RIGHTS. 

R. D. Lusk, a Lancaster lawyer of no particular ability, but 
possessing wit, was sitting in his office when a man by the name of 
Hightower entered, and, in an excited way, told him that he had just 
had a row with a man by the name of Glass, and wanted to know what 
his legal rights were. Said Lusk : 

"Well, sir, I am not willing to give advice unless I am paid for it. 
It takes money to buy sugar and coffee. Have you any money?" 

"No," responded Hightower. 

"Then sir," said Lusk, "you have no rights." 

"GIGGLE SOME ON MY SIDE." 

Mr. Lusk had been engaged in a law suit to sell land, settle an 
estate, etc., for several years, but had never been able to do anything 
except accumulate a huge pile of title papers and a large amount of 
useless evidence. 

Senator Bradley was at length employed by one of the defendants, 
and immediately filed a demurrer. At the time, Frank Hubble was 
reading law in Bradley's office, and, like all law students, had a high 
opinion of his preceptor. When the Judge sustained the demurrer 



126 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

and gave leave to amend, Hubble v»^as very much tickled and gave a 
great giggle which did not escape Lusk. Lusk amended, and again 
went out on demurrer. This occurred several times, and on each 
occasion Hubble giggled at the result. 

Finally, Lusk consulted a good lawyer, who showed him how 
to draft his pleading, and after he filed it, Bradley again demurred, 
merely for amusement, and the Judge overruled it. Hubble looked 
very serious, but Lusk grabbed him by the shoulder and, shaking him 
forcibly, exclaimed in a hoarse whisper: 

"Now, d n you, giggle some on my side." 



LAYING BONES TOGETHER. 

Sam Hite, a widower, was a splendid old man, who in his latter 
days was trying to pursuade a young widow to marry him. She told 
him she respected him very highly and intended to request her mother, 
when she died, to lay her bones along side of his. 

"Oh," said Hite, "that is all tom-foolery. What I want you to 
do is not to wait until I am dead, but to lay your bones along side 
of mine while you are alive." 

A MAN OF CONTRACT. 

Elkin entered Jim Mason's bar room one day and told him that 
his farm was overrun with rabbits, and he would like to sell some 
of them to him. Mason bought a dozen for two drinks, which Elkin 
took during the day. Some weeks after, when Elkin was passing, 
Mason complained that he had not delivered the rabbits. 

"Of course not," said Elkin, "I never agreed to deliver them. 
They are down on the farm and you can come and get them any day. 
I am a man of contract, I sold them on foot, and all you have to do 
is to go and get them." 

FROM SOLEMNITY TO HILARITY. 

Captain Willis, of Jessamine county, who fell at Buena Vista, 
was a lawyer of great promise and a most interesting and amusing 
speaker. He tried a case in which Mr. Ballinger, a very solemn and 
serious man, and Mr. Fox, a very genial and convivial man, swift 
of speech and comical of manner, had spoken against his client. In 
referring to their speeches he remarked that Ballinger's voice and 
manner reminded him of the old hymn : 

"Hark ! from the tomb a doleful sound ; Mine ears attend the 
cry!" but when Fox waltzed out in front of the jury and delivered 
himself, he was reminded of the old nursery song : 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 127 

"Oh, Jinnie, git yer ho cake done, my girl, 
Oh, Jinnie, git yer ho cake done." 

DEAD FOR GOOD. 

About five days after an old Franklin coimty farmer's wife was 
buried, he came into General Rodman's office in Frankfort, and in- 
formed him that he had married that morning. Rodman expressed his 
profound astonishment that his client should marry so soon after his 
wife's death. 

"Now, say, John," remarked the old fellow, "haint you got sense 
enuf to know that she is jest as dead now as she ever will be!" 

STRANGE PRONUNCIATION. 

Senator Bradley tells a story on John Cundiff, with whom he 
attended school in 1859. Said he: 

"Cundiff was an overgrown boy about eighteen years old. He 
had large black eyes and the top of his ears was about level with the 
top of his head. A stiff roach stood like a faithful sentinel above his 
forehead, and, when brushed by his hand, actively vibrated for some 
time after. His voice was loud and resonant, and his manner strik- 
ingly defiant. His idiosyncracy was that, try as he would, he could 
rarely pronounce any word of more than two syllables correctly, and 
although every effort was made to enable him to make good, it resulted 
in failure. For instance, he persisted in pronouncing Socrates as 
So-crates and Hercules, Her-cules! 

"The teacher required us to declaim every Friday, and while 
Cundiff exercised excellent taste in his selection of material, he persist- 
ed in mispronouncing, to the infinite amusement of all save the 
teacher. 

"I do not now recall the author of the elegant piece of literature 
that begins 'Scipio and Hannibal were two competitors. They 
waged a bloody war and committed great slaughter.' However, Cun- 
diff memorized and delivered it as follows : 

" *Ski-pio and Hanni-bawl were tv.'O great com-pe-ti-tors. They 
waged a bloody war and com-i-ted great slag-gau-ter.' 

"Another of his declamations was a portion of Phillip^' great 
speech on Napoleon, entitled, 'The Characteristics of Napoleon Bona- 
parte,' and ran about as follows : 

" *He is fallen ! We now pause before that splendid prodigy which 
reared itself amongst us like some ancient ruin! * * * ♦ Grand; 
gloomy, and peculiar, he sat upon the throne, ar sceptered hermit 
wrapt in the solitude of his own originality t * * * * A pretended 



128 Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 

patriot, he impoverished the country. A professed Catholic, he im- 
prisoned the Pope !' 

"Cundiff delivered it — 

" 'He is fallen ! We now pause before that splendid prod-i-gce 
which rared itself among- us like some anchunt ruing. Grand, gloomy 
and pe-coo-ler he sot upon the throne, skeptered hermit, wropt in 
the solichude of his own o-rig-i-nal-ity. * * * A pretended pa-try-ot, 
he im-pover-i-shed the country ; a professed Kay-thol-ic he im-pry- 
suned the Pup.* 

"Each of us was required to announce the subject of the declama- 
tion in advance. Cundiff announced it in this way : 

" 'The Ka-ric-teristics of Nap-o-le-an Bo-nap-er-tee.' " 

MADE A MISTAKE. 

A negro was convicted in the Fayette circuit court before Judge 
Ben Buckner for stealing a calf, and at the same term a young white 
man, of a prominent family, was acquitted for stealing a whole drove 
of cattle, upon the theory that he did so during an aberration of mind 
which rendered him irresponsible. The Judge told the negro to 
stand up and give, if he could, any reason why sentence should not 
be passed upon him. 

The negro answered : 

"Jedge, I have nothin' to say 'sept I made a mistake; ef I had a 
stole a hole druv instead of wun caf, I wood not hev bin foiin' gilty." 

COUNTENANCE AND CHARACTER. 

In the earlier period of Kentucky there lived a Baptist preacher 
named Wolverton. He was an exceedingly pious man and effective 
preacher, but was afflicted with a low forehead and large eyebrows, 
a bushy head of hair, a large nose, and small penetrating black eyes. 

He v/as invited, with several persons of quality, to take dinner 
with Billy Woods, a rich man, but not of the best character. Woods 
was a garrulous individual, who talked without ceasing, and had a 
happy faculty of always saying the wrong thing. Turning to Wolver- 
ton, I:C remarked: 

"Brother Wolverton, considering what a good and great man you 
are, the Lord certainly did you a shameful injustice in giving you 
such an awfiH countenance." 

"Yes," replied Wolverton, "my countenance and your character 
would hang any man in the world." 



Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 129 

"THOROUGHLY IMPARTIAL." 

Back in the days when the Kentucky miHtia had regular muster 
days, "fist and skull" fights were quite common. Indeed, if men had a 
difference, that day was selected for its settlement. In that period 
men made their reputation as fighters, and such a reputation \yas 
anxiously sought by the muscular young man. 

Ike Camden had retired from the ring because past middle age, 
but was held in high esteem for his enviable record as a "knock- 
downer and drag-outer." 

There were two young men in his neighborhood, neither of whom 
he liked, who were anxious to make a reputation, with as few scars as 
possible, by having a fight, which, they agreed, should be brought to 
an early close by Uncle Ike Camden, before it had become serious ; 
and with a view of carrying the matter into effect, Uncle Ike was 
called upon and agreed that he would separate them in a short while 
after the battle began. When "Muster Day" rolled around the two 
young men soon managed to come to blows, but Uncle Ike failed to 
separate them. Faster and more furious the contest raged, but Uncle 
Ike did not move an inch. Finally one of them, with a bleeding nose 
cried out: 

"Uncle Ike, you have forgot something !" 

"No, I hain't," replied Uncle Ike, "the truth is, boys, I never wuz 
sich a impartial observer in all my life." 

"LET ME, ISAAC, OUT." 

In Uncle Ike's palmy days he managed in some way to become 
itivolved more or less in nearly every fist-i-cuff that came up. One 
muster day he arrived a little late, and observed, as he came up, that 
a fight was in progress in which a considerable number of men were 
engaged. Springing from his horse he rushed up to the combatants 
exclaiming : 

"Boys, is this a free fight?" 

Someone replied that it was. 

"Then," said he, "let me, Isaac, in ;" and in he went. 

In a short while he was badly beaten up and, managing to get 
on his feet, he asked: 

"Did you say this is a free fight?" 

And being answered in the affirmative, he exclaimed: 

"Then let me, Isaac, out." 



130 Stories of WilHam O. Bradley. 

A HEARTFELT WISH. 

Nearly all of Boyle county is composed of beautiful blue grass 
land, but a small portion of it is rough and called the "Knobs." In 
the latter section are, and always have been, some eccentric characters. 
A gentleman from that section witnessed a fight between his son 
and another man in Danville, after which he was called to testify in 
the police court. Having given his name and stated that he saw- 
the fight, he was asked to proceed in his own way to tell all about 
it; which request he complied with. 

"I heerd some loud chat and noticed a scatterment down by 
Evans's drug store. I got thar as soon as I could, and found my 
son Josier and one of the Rowseys in a fight. They wuz a havin' 
it up and down, and the dust, hit riz like a cloud. Of and endurin' of 
the fight I hearn my son Josier say, 'I wish to God I was outen here;' 
and then I made a rush for Rowsey, and some stranger, who I never 
seed before, struck me in the face, and I lost my riccolexyun, and 
neither seed nor heerd no more." 

WORKING A BROKEN JAW. 

Judge Frank Finley, of Williamsburg, Kentucky, was for a num- 
ber of years, Judge of the circuit court in his district, and later served 
in the Lower House of Congress. His early opportunities had been 
limited, but, by reason of great strength of character, application, and 
common sense, he became very successful as a lawyer and a politician. 

He related a story that took place in his court concerning an old 
horse that had a broken jaw, and persistently refused to take on flesh. 
Jones had been sued for damages for selling the horse and concealing 
its defects at the time. In testifying, the plaintiff stated: 

"Men, when I traded for this boss I seed nothin' wrong v/ith him, 
and Jones told me he war all right. He said he would soon git fat 
if I would only feed him. Well, I fed him, and fed him, and the 
more I fed him the poorer he got. So I thought I would watch him 
and see what the matter wuz. I found his lower jaw was broke on 
the off side of his mouth, and there was a good size space between his 
jaws ; while on tother side the jaws fit all right. I soon saw while 
he were a eatin,' that what w-ent in on the good side, come out on 
the bad side ; and that the reason he wuz pore wuz that he subsisted 
out more'n he subsisted in." 

AN EASY-GOING NEIGHBORHOOD. 

In another case, Judge Finley related that a witness was intro- 
duced to attack the character of another, and, after having qualified 
himself to speak, testified : 



Stoj-ies of WUlia7n O. Bradley. 131 

"His char-ac-ter wan't good — but I'll tell ye, men, in the locality 
whar he lives a mighty little char-ac-ter goes a mighty long ways." 

A BIG TURNIP. 

Many years ago there lived a preacher in Garrard county, whose 
name will not be given lest the feeling of his numerous descendants 
might be wounded. He was a man of great intellectual force and 
lived a blameless life, except for the wonderful stories he told, all of 
which he appeared to believe to be true. 

He said that he once cleaned up a quarter of an acre of ground, 
fenced it in and sowed it in turnips. Some time after he noticed that 
the turnips near the center were forced out of the ground, and thus 
continued outward until there was but one turnip top visible, and that 
was in the center of the patch. After careful investigation he found 
that this turnip had grown until it covered the entire field, forcing 
the others out. About this time he lost a valuable heifer, and after 
looking everywhere on the place, he found that she had eaten her 
way into the turnip. Said he: 

"I knew I would have to procure an enormous kettle in which to 
cook that turnip ; so I went to the Red River Iron Works, in Bath 
county, and ordered it made. Three hundred men worked on it night 
and day for three weeks, and on Saturday night of the last week, 
when it was completed, the head workman carelessly dropped his 
hammer and just as we reached the spot on Monday morning early, 
we heard the hammer strike the bottom." 

A GREAT HUNTER. 

In the adjoining county of Madison, there is a hill of considerable 
size called "Round Hill." The name is very appropriate, for the base 
of the hill forms a perfect circle. The preacher located one of his 
most remarkable experiences at that place. He was really a very 
successful hunter, but from his accounts it will be seen that he was a 
remarkable hunter, as well. Talking to an admiring group of friends, 
he remarked : 

"I once went to Round Hill a-hunting. In those days there was 
a forest around it. When I neared the hill a buck started up and took 
out around the hill. I followed for some time, but could not get a 
shot ; so I bent my gun-barrel across my knee to correspond with the 
curve of the hill and fired, when the bullet followed the buck and 
killed him. I went on to where the buck had fallen and straightened 
the barrel. Near at hand, I saw some honey running out of a tree, 
where the ball had entered, and I drove a peg in the tree until I could 



132 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

return, which I did, in a few days, and me and my friends took home 
five pounds of splendid honey. But this, aside. I cut off the hind 
quarters from the buck, slung them across my shoulders, and started 
home. I had on a very large and loose pair of pants which turned out 
to my advantage, for when I reached the creek the water was up and 
I had to wade. When I got on the other side of the creek I took 
fifteen pounds of jumpin' perch out of my pants, and you may easily 
understand how we lived on the deer, honey and fish, for some time." 

CAPTURING A YOUNG EAGLE. 

"Many years ago," said he, "when I was a young man I had 
business in the State of Maine. It was during the winter and was 
exceedingly cold. I located an eagle's nest at the top of a crag and 
determined to capture one of the young eagles. To do this, I was 
compelled to climb an icicle for about fifty feet to reach the place. 
Just as I got the young bird the two old eagles appeared on the scene ; 
and, to escape their beaks and claws, I slid down the icicle so fast that 
I set the seat of my pants on fire, and from that day to the present I 
have always been prejudiced against eagles." 

THE ROAR OF A LION. 

"When I was a small boy," remarked the old man, "I attended 
the first circus and menagerie that ever came into the county. Some 
man punched the lion, which was an enormous beast, and he uttered a 
terrible roar — a roar that fairly shook the earth. When I undertook 
to run away I could not move. Looking down to see what was the 
cause, I found that I had sunk into the ground up to my knees. I 
had great difficulty in releasing myself, so much so, that I have 
never attended such a place from that day to this." 

THE SQUIRRELS AND THE CORN. 

Another story that he told was : 

"I once had a hundred-acre river bottom farm as fine as a crow 
ever flew over. One year I raised an enormous crop of corn. After 
the corn had ripened, I noticed on the side adjoining the river that a 
large quantity had disappeared. So I concluded to watch and see 
who was stealing my corn. I concealed myself the follo\vinj.if morning, 
early, in a small thicket that bordered the river. I had not been there 
long before I saw a number of objects start from the opposite bank. 
For a time I could not discern what they were, but as they came closer. 
I discovered they were squirrels — about a hundred of them — each 
seated on a shingle and propelling it with his tail. When they reached 



Stories of William 0. Bradley. 133 

the bank they left their shingles in a little cove and went out in the 
field. Presently, each one returned with an ear of corn, and, mounting 
his shingle, propelled himself to the opposite side of the river. The 
next day, in company with a dozen expert wood-choppers, we cut 
down every hollow tree on the side where the squirrels landed, and 
found four hundred barrels of corn, besides killing many of the 
squirrels ; indeed, we lived on squirrels for several weeks." 

SOME HEWER. 

He also related the following: 

"Many years ago I was in New Orleans, and saw in the papers 
that a 'hewing match' was to take place near the city ; the best hewer 
to receive a premium of twenty-five dollars in gold. I concluded to 
compete for it ; so, I sharpened my broad-ax until I could have easily 
shaved with it, and was there bright and early. There were many 
expert axmen present, and I waited until all of them were through, 
when, fastening the ax handle in my belt, I climbed a cypress tree two 
hundred feet high, and then went down it head foremost, cutting ofif 
the limbs and hewing it to a perfect eight square until I reached the 
ground. Of course the crowd was greatly astonished and when the 
twenty-five dollars was paid to me there was much hand-shaking 
and congratulations." 

NOVEL EXPERIMENT. 

In the late seventies and early eighties, the Kuklux operated ex- 
tensively in Rockcastle county, Kentucky. Of course, they were con- 
demned by many people, who were afraid to speak openly. However, 
matters grew worse until, at length, the better element came out boldly 
in denunciation ; after which, the clan disbanded. 

As time passed, the band fell into great disrepute and no set of 
men were more unpopular; not only those who were known to have 
been actively engaged, but also those who aided the organization by 
contribution. About this time Senator Bradley instituted an action 
for damages for a young Mr. Fish, through his next friend and grand- 
mother, Mrs. Fish, against the Kentucky Central Railroad Company. 

On the trial, the old lady was an important witness, and the de- 
fendant's attorneys introduced Wm. H. Albright, Sheriff, Willis Adams 
and William Stewart, proving by them that her moral character was 
bad, and that they would not believe her on oath where interested. 
Bradley could find no one by whom he could sustain the old lady's 
character ; so after a fevv^ minutes consultation with her, he called her 
to the witness stand, and after proving by her that she v/as well ac- 



134 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

quainted with the three witnesses named, and their general moral 
character, she was asked what that character was. She answered 
that it was "extremely bad." 

Thereupon defendant's attorney asked her to specify how it was 
bad. 

"Well, sir," said she, "as to Adams and Stewart, they both pretend 
to be mighty good men, but everybody knows they have been the 
mainstay of the Kuklux and spent money to organize it, and hired 
lawyers to keep 'em outen the penitentiary. As to Bill Albright, he is 
the ring leader of the gang." 

The jury gave the plaintiff a verdict. 

THE POOR LITTLE SCATTERED POTATOES. 

There lives in Corbin, Kentucky, a lawyer, Sam Kash. He 
is the soul of hospitality, has succeeded remarkably well in 
business, and has become one of the most effective jury speakers 
and campaign orators in the State. In his younger days he made a 
most amusing speech. He was prosecuting a man for killing his 
mother-in-law. The evidence showed that on Sunday morning the 
old lady had gone out in the garden and "gravelled" a basket of pota- 
toes with which she started towards the house, when the defendant 
shot and killed her. 

Said Kash : "Ah, gentlemen of the jury, picture to yourself this 
awful scene. On that beautiful Sunday morning, the sun was shining 
brightly and the air was redolent with the perfume of the apple blos- 
soms. The old lady, anxious to prepare an acceptable meal, had 
gone out in the garden, gravelled a few potatoes, placed them in a 
basket, and had started to the house to prepare the meal. Bent with 
age, she was thinking of the goodness of her Maker, who had spared 
her for so many years and quietly sending up a prayer of gratitude, 
not supposing for an instant that she was about to be ushered into 
His presence, when this beast, this worse-than-devil in human form, 
deliberately and maliciously took aim, and emptied the contents of 
his shot gun into her aged form. 

"Aye, gentlemen, think of the wife of this brute who witnessed 
the murder of her mother; think of her little children who clung in 
terror to her skirts, think of the poor old woman hurled in an instant 
into eternity and think — think — think — " Here the speaker seemed to 
be unable to call something to mind, when, with a desperate effort, he 
exclaimed : "and think of the poor little scattered potatoes !" 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 135 

WHY HE MARRIED THREE SISTERS. 

Several gentlemen at the Pendennis Club were discussing the 
merits and demerits (mostly the latter) of mothers-in-law. After 
the subject had been pretty thoroughly exhausted, as it was thought, 
Col. Henry Watterson said, that he had known a great number of 
intelligent men during his life, but of all that number he was satisfied 
that Donald Graybeal was the most intelligent, as well as the most 
thoughtful, on account of the reason he gave for marrying three 
sisters. Several gentlemen inquired, simultaneously : 

"What was it?" 

"Well," said Watterson, "he said the reason was that he could 
not bear the thought of having more than one mother-in-law." 

TAKE YOUR TIME FOR IT. 

There lived in Lancaster, Kentucky, during the Civil War, a 
hotel clerk named Cook Suddath. He was given to droll sayings. 
A Pennsylvania regiment was encamped near the town and one of 
the soldiers, who was a stutterer of the most violent type, walked up 
to Suddath, who had gotten into a buggy to drive out on some busi- 
ness, and said: 

"Mis — mis — mister ka — ka — ka." 

"All right, my friend," said Suddath, "I'm goin' to the country, 
and will be back in an hour. Just stand where you are and take your 
time for it, and maybe you can say what you want to by the time 
I come back." 

"AND McQUERTER DRANK HIS." 

Some decades ago there lived in a Kentucky county a gentleman 
by the name of McQuerter, who was the most popular man in the 
county, and whose influence was anxiously sought by every Demo- 
cratic candidate. He was in independent circumstances, the owner of 
a valuable farm on which was a pretentious residence, and he was the 
soul of hospitality. 

"Little Phil" Thompson, who was running for Congress, was 
extremely anxious to obtain McQuerter's support ; so he managed to 
reach his house about sun-down for the purpose of remaining over 
night. When he rode up to the stile block, the hearty voice of Mc- 
Querter rang out: 

"Light, Phil, light, and come in!" 

Phil "lit" without further invitation, and started up to the house, 
meeting McQuerter about half way, and receiving a hearty shake of 
the hand. When they reached the porch McQuerter introduced 
Thompson to his wife, a large, tall, handsome woman, weighing about 



138 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

courageous, honest, sensible man who held in supreme contempt any 
man who professed to have ability when he did not really have it. 
There was a gentleman elected from Madison county to the same 
Legislature by the name of Durrett Tribble. Tribble was an exceed- 
ingly nice fellow, very dressy and remarkably fond of the company of 
young ladies ; so much so, as to frequently be absent from the floor 
conversing with the girls in the lobby of the House. 

Philpot was trying to have a bill passed in v/hich his people were 
especially interested, and Tribble took the floor and opposed it. After 
Tribble concluded, Philpot arose, and driving his peg leg into the 
floor with great force, said : 

"I don't see, sir, as how this is any of your business. You are 
never in your seat and don't know what is going on, nohow. I don't 
know why your people ever sent you here for, any way. They had 
better kept you at home and writ a letter." 

"GO THROUGH HELL A-POPPIN." 

Old Ben Hardwick, or "Hardick," as he was commonly called, 
lived near Lancaster. He was an ignorant old blacksmith, and was 
frequently drunk. 

Finally, old age and liquor got him down, and it became apparent 
that he could live but a few hours. Appreciating his condition, he 
called his wife to the bedside, and made the following request: 

"Old ooman, I am about played out, and I want you to see that I 
am buried in a cedar coffin so I can go through hell a-poppin." 

ANTICIPATED "ONPLEASANTNESS." 

Mrs. Sarah Philpot who lived in the feud district of Kentucky, 
gave the following evidence before a jury : 

"Well, men, I went over to Bill Brown's to 'tend a party. Arter 
we had bin thar about a hour, the two Sairses come and raised a 
controversy with Pete Stivers, and cut him to mortal hash. Shortly, 
the Stivers boys got thar and commenced shootin at the Sairses, and 
the Sairses was a shootin' back, and two of the men fell to the floor, 
when I, thinkin' if the thing kept on thar would be some onpleasant- 
ness, riz up and went home, as I didn't want to see it." 

DOCTOR BRECKINRIDGE'S BET. 

Rev. Robert J. Breckinridge was one of the most distinguished 
Presbyterian preachers in Kentucky, He was an abolitionist, and 
later in life, a bitter, partisan Republican. He had two sons, William 



Stories of William O. Bradley. I39 

C. p. and Robert, who went into the Confederate army, and another, 
Joseph, who went into the Union Army. 

The Doctor was a great controversialist both in religion and 
politics. 

Riding along the highway with a brother preacher of his church, 
he asserted that all the drunken, degraded element would be found in 
the Democratic party. His companion, being a Democrat, hotly denied 
the truth of his assertion. About this time they took a short turn in 
the road, and discovered a drunken man riding horseback on a sack 
of corn which he was taking to the neighboring mill. He was so 
drunk that he was swaying from side to side, and appeared to be in 
imminent danger of falling from his horse. Said Breckinridge to 
his friend: 

"Novv% I will bet you a jug of buttermilk that fellow is a Demo- 
crat." 

The bet was readily accepted, when the two rode up to the man and 
Breckinridge informed him that they had made a bet on his politics, 
and desired to know what they were. Said Breckinridge : 

"I have bet my friend that you are a Democrat. Am I right 
or wrong?" 

"Mister," replied the stranger, "I'm a pore, one-gallused, drunk, 
triflin' man; I am nothin', and durned little of that, but I never yit 
have got so low down as to be a Dimocrat !" 

The two preachers laughed heartily and rode on, agreeing that it 
was impossible to tell which one of them was the butt of the joke. 

SORRY BILL BIRD COULD'NT HEAR IT. 

Colonel Anson Clark was Commonwealth's Attorney in the Lon- 
don circuit court, and was one of the most powerful prosecutors in 
Kentucky. He had been a gallant Colonel in the Union Army, and 
stood high ; after the circumstances mentioned he was elected Circuit 
Judge. 

John Bossie, an Italian coal miner, killed Bill Bird, and Senator 
Bradley, in defending him had earnestly pleaded for equal justice for 
the man who had left his home in Italy to seek an asylum in the 
United States. Clark answered: 

"Mr. Bradley has made a most eloquent plea, as he always does. I 
was deeply moved by his beautiful description of 'Sunny Italy;' in- 
deed, I was moved almost to tears because of my deep regret that 
poor Bill Bird could not hear it." 



140 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

A VI-GOROUS CAMPAIGN. 

Walter Evans was a distinguished member of the Lower House 
of Congress from the Louisville District, and is now and for years 
has been a faithful, vigilant and able Judge of the United States 
District Court for Kentucky, In 1879 ^^ was the Republican candi- 
date for Governor in Kentucky. He had an appointment to speak at 
Columbia, and as soon as he reached the town a number of his politi- 
tal friends visited him at the hotel, among others, "Uncle" Johnny 
Murray. Murray was considerably advanced in years and was a man 
of high standing. 

When he was introduced to Evans he gave him a hearty shake 
of the hand, assured him of his pleasure in meeting him, and the pleas- 
ure it would give him to vote for him. Said he : 

"Colonel, I reckon you are nearly wore out making this tower of 
the State, and I reckon it is a costin' a sight, hain't it?" 

"Yes" replied Evans, "I am nearly worn out, and the expense is 
considerable." 

At this point of the conversation "Uncle" Johnny reached down 
into his pants pocket, nearly to his knees, and drew out an old-fash- 
ioned buckskin purse on which were two iron rings, and taking a silver 
quarter therefrom, handed it to Evans with this encouraging remark : 

"Here Col. Evans, take this here quarter and make a vi-gorous 
campaign." 

CICRUMSTANCES ALTER CASES. 

Richard L. Ewell, of London, is both lawyer and preacher, and 
excels as either. In 1881 he made a remarkably fine race for Congress, 
greatly reducing the Democratic majority in the District. In joint 
debate his opponent, "Little Phil" Thompson, told an anecdote re- 
flecting on the character of preachers generally, which of course ruf- 
fled Ewell, who, in his response, turning to Thompson, said : 

"You may say what you please about preachers, but I thank 
God I was never cowhided by a woman." 

Thompson got purple in the face, and said if Ewell meant the 
charge for him, he denounced it as a lie, 

"Now Phil," said he, "don't get excited, if you never had such an 
experience, lest your excitement convinces people of your guilt !" 

Thompson got purple in the face and said if Ewell meant the 
charge for him, he denounced it as a lie. 

"The proof of the pudding is in 'chewing the bag,' " retorted 
Ewell. "I dare you to pull off your shirt and show your back to the 
crowd I" 



Stories of William 0. Bradley. 141 

Of course Thompson could not, and did not, comply with the 
request, by reason of which the audience yelled with delight. After 
the speaking was over and the two candidates were riding along the 
road, Thompson demanded an apology. Ewell remarked : 

"You told a foul anecdote at my expense and I was only trying 
to get even with you; if you will never tell it again we will call it 
square, and I will not repeat my charge against you." 

This was agreed to and the balance of the campaign was unusually 
pleasant. 

A HAPPY ANSWER. 

Major Rigney, of Casey county, was the Democratic nominee for 
State Senator. He had been a gallant Union officer during the War of 
the Rebellion, and, while deficient in education, was a man of sterling 
good sense and unquestioned integrity. 

The Republicans nominated Capt. Sam Boone, also a gallant 
Union officer, to make the race against him. Boone was a well edu- 
cated, shrewd fellow, and quite a speaker. So he laid a plan to trap 
the Major by exposing his ignorance. In a joint debate at Junction 
City, at the conclusion of his speech, he declared : 

"I am going to ask the gentleman a question that he cannot, and 
daVe not, answer. I dare him to tell this audience how he stands on 
transubstantiation." 

Boone immediately sat down so as to give Rigney no opportunity 
to seek information. 

The Major arose slowly, evidently meditating on what his answer 
should be. He was greatly perturbed, and energetically mopped the 
sweat from his face and bald head with a bandana handkerchief. 
In order to gain time, he requested Boone to repeat his question, which 
was readily and defiantly done. 

Rigney replied : 

"My friend wants to know how I stand on the doctrine of — what 
do you call it, Boone?" 

"Transubstantiation," thundered Boone. 

"Well, Mr. Boone, I stand on that question as I do on all others — 
flat-footed with the Democratic party." 

NO GIRL TO PLAY ON IT. 

An ignorant brother of the Methodist faith refused to contribute 
anything for the purchase of a church chandelier. This was a sur- 
prise to the congregation who knew him theretofore to have been 
universally liberal respecting the church. At length, the minister 
took him aside and asked him the cause of his strange conduct. 



140 Stones of William 0. Bradley. 

A VI-GOROUS CAMPAIGN. 

Walter Evans was a distinguished member of the Lower House 
of Congress from the Louisville District, and is now and for years 
has been a faithful, vigilant and able Judge of the United States 
District Court for Kentucky, In 1879 ^^ ^^s the Republican candi- 
date for Governor in Kentucky. He had an appointment to speak at 
Columbia, and as soon as he reached the town a number of his politi- 
tal friends visited him at the hotel, among others, "Uncle" Johnny 
Murray. Murray was considerably advanced in years and was a man 
of high standing. 

When he was introduced to Evans he gave him a hearty shake 
of the hand, assured him of his pleasure in meeting him, and the pleas- 
ure it would give him to vote for him. Said he: 

"Colonel, I reckon you are nearly wore out making this tower of 
the State, and I reckon it is a costin' a sight, hain't it?" 

"Yes" replied Evans, "I am nearly worn out, and the expense is 
considerable." 

At this point of the conversation "Uncle" Johnny reached down 
into his pants pocket, nearly to his knees, and drew out an old-fash- 
ioned buckskin purse on which were two iron rings, and taking a silver 
quarter therefrom, handed it to Evans with this encouraging remark : 

"Here Col. Evans, take this here quarter and make a vi-gorous 
campaign." 

CICRUMSTANCES ALTER CASES. 

Richard L. Ewell, of London, is both lawyer and preacher, and 
excels as either. In 1881 he made a remarkably fine race for Congress, 
greatly reducing the Democratic majority in the District. In joint 
debate his opponent, "Little Phil" Thompson, told an anecdote re- 
flecting on the character of preachers generally, which of course ruf- 
fled Ewell, who, in his response, turning to Thompson, said : 

"You may say what you please about preachers, but I thank 
God I was never cowhided by a woman." 

Thompson got purple in the face, and said if Ewell meant the 
charge for him, he denounced it as a lie, 

"Now Phil," said he, "don't get excited, if you never had such an 
experience, lest your excitement convinces people of your guilt!" 

Thompson got purple in the face and said if Ewell meant the 
charge for him, he denounced it as a lie. 

"The proof of the pudding is in 'chewing the bag,' " retorted 
Ewell. "I dare you to pull off your shirt and show your back to the 
crowd !" 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 141 

Of course Thompson could not, and did not, comply with the 
request, by reason of which the audience yelled with delight. After 
the speaking was over and the two candidates were riding along the 
road, Thompson demanded an apology. Ewell remarked : 

"You told a foul anecdote at my expense and I was only trying 
to get even with you; if you will never tell it again we will call it 
square, and I will not repeat my charge against you." 

This was agreed to and the balance of the campaign was unusually 
pleasant. 

A HAPPY ANSWER. 

Major Rigney, of Casey county, was the Democratic nominee for 
State Senator. He had been a gallant Union officer during the War of 
the Rebellion, and, while deficient in education, was a man of sterling 
good sense and unquestioned integrity. 

The Republicans nominated Capt. Sam Boone, also a gallant 
Union officer, to make the race ?gainst him. Boone was a well edu- 
cated, shrewd fellow, and quite a speaker. So he laid a plan to trap 
the Major by exposing his ignorance. In a joint debate at Junction 
City, at the conclusion of his speech, he declared : 

"I am going to ask the gentleman a question that he cannot, and 
dare not, answer. I dare him to tell this audience how he stands on 
transubstantiation." 

Boone immediately sat down so as to give Rigney no opportunity 
to seek information. 

The Major arose slowly, evidently meditating on what his answer 
should be. He was greatly perturbed, and energetically mopped the 
sweat from his face and bald head with a bandana handkerchief. 
In order to gain time, he requested Boone to repeat his question, which 
was readily and defiantly done. 

Rigney replied : 

"My friend wants to know how I stand on the doctrine of — what 
do you call it, Boone?" 

"Transubstantiation," thundered Boone. 

"Well, Mr. Boone, I stand on that question as I do on all others — 
flat-footed with the Democratic party." 

NO GIRL TO PLAY ON IT. 

An ignorant brother of the Methodist faith refused to contribute 
anything for the purchase of a church chandelier. This was a sur- 
prise to the congregation who knew him theretofore to have been 
universally liberal respecting the church. At length, the minister 
took him aside and asked him the cause of his strange conduct. 



142 Stories of IVilliam O. Bradley. 

"Because, Brother Ambrose," he exclaimed, "it would be a useless 
expense, and a waste of money, for there is not a girl in the congrega- 
tion that knows how to play on it." 

COULD NOT RIDE IT. 

However, the brother referred to was little, if any more ignorant 
than a prominent Central Kentucky politician, who declined to buy 
an encyclopedia on the ground that he "didn't know how to ride it, 
no how." 

"THIRTEEN, ME CAPACITY." 

Judge Holt, ex-Chief Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, 
a most amiable and profound lawyer, relates the following amusing 
episode connected with his practice. 

"We were trying a case in which an Irishman, Pat Dunnegan, 
testified against my client in a way that severely crippled his cause. 
Knowing Pat well as a drinking man, I concluded there would be no 
difficulty in showing that he was under the influence of whiskey at 
the time he referred to, and hence his testimony would be unreliable 
I asked him : 

"Pat, how many drinks had you taken that day before the time 
you heard the conversation you have detailed?" 

" 'Nine, Sor,' was his ready response. 

"Well," said I, "were you not very seriously under the influence 
of liquor?" 

" 'No, Sor,' he replied, 'I had taken only nine drinks whin me 
capacity is thirteen.' " 

"MOST ONCONVENIENTEST PERSISHUN." 

Clinton Todd, a harmless citizen of Rockcastle county, Kentucky, 
imagined when drunk, that he was a most courageous man ; and, 
hence, gave himself the name, "Danger Todd." 

He came to Lancaster to sell a carload of shingles and got glor- 
iously drunk, but in some way eluded the marshal. Seeing Major 
R. M. Bradley a short time thereafter in Mt. Vernon, he related to 
him how he had bullied the marshal, who did not dare to arrest him ; 
and threatened that he was coming back to Lancaster shortly to show 
"em all that Danger Todd was not afraid." The Major advised him 
he had best remain at home. However, about two weeks thereafter, 
the jailer of Garrard county called at the Major's law office and 
informed him that there was a man in jail who claimed to be a friend 
of his, and who desired that he should come and see him immediately. 



Stories of William 0. Bradley. 143 

Of course, the Major went, and as to what occurred, we will give his 
version on his return. 

"When I reached the jail, the door of the dungeon was thrown 
open, and far back I could see the man's eyes like those of a mink in a 
hole. He came at once to the grating, when I recognized 'Danger 
Todd.' I at once reminded him of my advice, telling him I was not 
at all astonished. 

" 'Well,' said he, 'Major, I don't want yer ter think that I am not 
dead game. The Marshal cum up ter me and said he had a warrant 
fer my arrest. I concluded I would run through Burdett's law office, 
retch the back alley, and make me escape. When I got through the 
office, I seed a little back yard with er iron fence, with sharp pailin's. 
I made up me mind ter lip the fence and done it ; but as I went over, 
the seat of me breeches caught on one of ther palins,' and thar T wus, 
er hanging down with me hed clos' ter me feet, an' I hed ter give in 
fur et sho' wus ther most onconvenientest persishun I ever were in, 
ter fite." 

PORK INSPECTOR AT JERUSALEM. 

Many years ago there was a Kentucky Congressman whose chief 
conception of duty was obtaining places for his constituents. One 
day a wag told him that there was a good office vacant and he ought 
to go to the Secretary of the Treasury and obtain it for one of his 
constituents, as it paid four thousand dollars a year. Having obtained 
the particulars, he at once hurried away to consult with the Secretary 
of the Treasury. Imagine the astonishment, as well as amusement, 
of that high dignitary, when the Congressman told him he understood 
that there was a vacancy in the office oi Pork Inspector at the City 
of Jerusalem, and desired to recommend one of his constituents for 
the position. 

"SEZ JOHN TO CANTER." 

About twenty-five years ago there lived in Garrard county, a 
queer fellow by the name of John Canter, the same individual who 
has been referred to in one of the preceding anecdotes as being de- 
fended by Colonel Dunlap. He finally joined the church and settled 
down. About a year after. Senator Bradley met him in the road and 
after mutually pleasant greetings were exchanged, Bradley congratu- 
lated him on his changed life ; but Canter told him he had just "broken 
over" that morning. He then proceeded to relate his experience. 

"I met a feller this mornin', and he a' knoin' I had got religion, and 
a-thinkin' I had furgot how to fite, told me I was a 'darn rascal.' 
Sez John ter Canter, sez he, 'Canter, that's mity hard ter bar;' but 



144 Stories of IVilliam 0. Bradley. 

sez he, 'don't furgit, John, you are a Christian.' So, I stood still and 
said nothin', though I bit my lips nearly in two. Sein' as how I tuck 
it, he sez, 'John Canter, you are a dinged coward.' Well, that ar wuz 
the fust time mortal man ever sed that to me, so sez John ter Canter, 
sez he, 'Canter, I wouldn't take it.' Then sez Canter ter John, sez he, 
'John, I don't believe I can stand it, religion or no religion.' So, I jest 
cast my religion aside fur the time bein,' an' lit rite on that feller an' 
beet him to a jelly. Bill, don't you think I dun rite?" 
Bradley told him that he did, and rode on. 

NO USE FOR THE PHILIPPINES. 

A certain statesman, sojourning in Washington, who was an 
imposing looking man of but little knowledge, was, during the 
War with Spain, asked what he thought of the Philippines. 

"Well, sir," he responded, "I have never had any use for them 
on account of the way tliey treated Samson." 

UNDISPUTED FACTS. 

A lawyer by the name of Carter, who was a Government teamster 
during the Civil War, settled in Mt. Vernon, Ky. He was a good 
natured, kind-hearted man, of but scant education and very little, if 
any, knowledge of law. Brown was being tried for the murder of an 
excellent citizen by the name of Billy Fox. In addressing the jury, 
Carter, who was for the prosecution, said, among other things : 

"Thar air some things, gentlemen of the jury, that air admitted 
in this case. The first is that Billy Fox air dead ; the next is that 
Brown killed him, and the last and most important pint is, that at the 
time he war killed he was a retreatin' backwards and fell with his 
hed yans way." 

GENERAL LANDRUM. 

W. J. Landrum was one of the first citizens of Lancaster. He 
was Clerk of the county court, later a Colonel in the Union Army, 
brevetted Brigadier General, an accomplished musician, excellent 
lawyer, and a ready story teller. 

HAVE YOU GOT AIRY DOLLAR. 

He related that, during the War, one warm Sunday afternoon he 
was resting under the shade of a tree near the road, in fatigue uni- 
form without straps, when a Union cavalryman rode along, and, mis- 
taking him for a private soldier, inquired : 



Stories of WilliavTi 0. Bradley. 14S 

"Pardner, have you got airy dollar." 

Landrum replied that he had ; whereupon, the soldier commenced 
dismounting from his horse, saying: 

"Well, I'll git rite down and play a game with you for who shall 
have it." 

THE DOUBLE BARREL OF CIDER. 

Another of his amusing experiences was that concerning the sol- 
dier who got permission to sell a barrel of sweet cider to his comrades. 
The barrel was placed in a tent, and the owner was standing at the 
faucet selling it for ten cents a glass. A soldier seeing another pay 
this amount, called him to one side and informed him that just around 
on the outside of the tent, he could buy it for five cents a glass. On 
examination this was found to be true. Further examination, however, 
developed the fact that the soldier just outside of the tent had bored 
a hole in the same barrel and was dispensing it to his friends at five 
cents a glass. 

WALTON AND THE WASP. 

Along in the eighties there lived in Lancaster, Kentucky, a young 
man — Sam Walton, who was a promising young lawyer, given to 
writing poetry. Walton disliked Senator Bradley, and in a jury speech 
undertook to make fun of him. In following him Bradley remarked : 

"The young man has spoiled a poet in an attempt to become a 
lawyer. At a recent Sunday School convention he commenced the 
recitation of a pathetic poem, running this wise: 

'Oh bury Bartholomew out in the woods, 
In a beautiful hole in the ground ; 
Where the whangdoodles come in most serious moods 
And the straddle bugs tumble around.' 

"At this point his brother-in-law, Ben B wept profusely and 

pathetically pleaded : 

" 'Stop, Sam, stop, or you will break my heart; that is the most 
movenist poetry I ever heard.' 

"Of course, out of sympathy for his relative, Sam stopped ; and 
hence the remainder of his tender tribute to Bartholomew has never 
been disclosed to an anxiousl}'- awaiting public. Gentlemen of the jury, 
he reminds me of a wasp, which is bigger the day it is born than at 
any subsequent time of its life." 

PROPER ADJUSTMENT OF A FEE. 

When Justice John M. Harlan was practicing law in Louisville, 
Kentucky, he was celebrated for charging large fees. Mr. Goodloe, a 



140 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

brother lawyer, was attempting to arrange a compromise of a suit 
instituted by Harlan, and every detail had been agreed upon except the 
amount of Harlan's fee. 

"Now, Harlan, in fixing your fee," suggested Goodloe, "I do not 
desire that you shall not be well paid. However, I suggest that you 
make it compensatory and not punitive." 

A CONSISTENT RECORD. 

Hon. Aaron Harding, who served in the Lov/er House of Con- 
gress from Kentucky, was a great lawyer, but given to hair-splitting 
and contention. While trying a will case at Danville before Judge 
Fox, he made many objections, saving exceptions to the ruling of 
the court in each instance. In the course of the trial, the Judge sus- 
tained one of his objections, to which Harding asked that an ex- 
ception should be noted. Of course, the Judge was astonished, and 
exclaimed : 

"Why, Mr. Harding, do you object when I sustain you?" 
"Because," said Harding, "if there is any thing I am particular 
about, it is to appear consistent on the record." 

A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT. 

About twenty-five years ago, Hon. R. P. Jacobs, a famous lawyer 
of Danville, Kentucky, with other attorneys, instituted an action in 
favor of the National Bank of Lancaster, against J. W. Miller, for a 
large sum, about eight or ten thousand dollars for rent of the farm 
which had been occupied by him during a litigation. Senator Bradley 
and Hon. John W. Yerkes defended for Miller. The case was tried 
at Danville where old Centre College is situated, and at that time Rev. 
Ormond Beatty was its president. 

The people of Danville had always justly taken pride in that 
famous institution. However, out in the "Knob portion" of the 
county, the college was not so popular, it being regarded as a high- 
browed, aristocratic concern. 

The witnesses for the plaintiff were bank presidents, directors, and 
wealthy farmers ; while those for the defendant were farmers of small 
means, and, in some instances, farm laborers. It so happened that a 
number of the members of the jury lived in the "Knob" section. 

The plaintiff, however, had a great advantage. Knov/ing this, 
Bradley determined to work the poor man's racket for all it was 
worth, and to make as much fun as possible of Centre College so as to 
anger Jacobs, who had the concluding argument, (and who was feared 
by Bradley, not only on account of his ability, but because of his 



Stories of William jO. Bradley. 147 

great personal popularity), and thus throw him off his balance. After 
alluding to the wealthy and prominent witnesses who had testified for 
plaintiff, Bradley said: 

"And so, gentlemen, you find this great aggregation of wealth here 
swearing to the most ridiculous and exorbitant rent ever heard of 
before. 

"On the other hand we have brought before you a number of 
farmers of very small means and farm laborers, who place the rent 
at about one-third of the amount fixed by this rich and aristocratic 
band of brothers who have combined to destroy an honest man. 

"I am thankful that you are honest men, who do not think poverty 
a crime, or riches a certificate of good character. 

"There is a controversy, as you know, as to the number of acres 
contained in the farm. We have introduced O. T. Wallace, who is a 
practical surveyor of twenty-five years' continuous experience. He 
tells you that there are forty acres less in the tract than claimed by 
the plaintiff. On the other side the Rev. Randolph, professor of 
mathematics in Centre College, testifies to the number of acres claimed 
by the plaintiff. Now what does Preacher Randolph know about 
measuring land, when his mind is constantly on heaven and heavenly 
things? It would be morally and physically impossible for him to 
fix his mind on earthly objects. He knows all about the 'tree of life,' 
but he knows nothing about the trees that grow on this earth. He 
could not tell the difference between a spotted oak and a hackberry. 
But he is a professor in Centre College, and on this account Mr. 
Jacobs would have you believe he is infallible; indeed, gentlemen, it 
is next to sacrilege for any man in this vicinity to question the in- 
fallibility of Centre College. 

"Some years ago a friend of mine visited your beautiful little 
city in July and stopped at the Gilcher House. He had no bars over 
his bed, and the mosquitoes well nigh devoured him. The next day he 
complained to Gilcher, and was astonished when Gilcher denied that 
there were any mosquitoes in the place. In vain he exhibited his 
swollen hands and face. Gilcher stuck to his denial. Angered and 
astonished he hunted up my friend Yerkes, and asked him to explain 
what it all meant, and Yerkes informed him that the reason for Gil- 
cher's denial was that President Beatty, up to that time, had failed to 
issue a bulletin announcing the arrival of the mosquitoes." 

This argument angered Mr. Jacobs, who bitterly complained that 
his gray hairs had been insulted, and the most celebrated college in 
the world slandered in an inexcusable manner. He also claimed that 
Professor Randolph had been most shamefully attacked. He then 



148 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

proceeded to name the distinguished men who had graduated at 
Centre College, and by the time he was through he had no time re- 
maining to argue the case. He contended for more time, but the 
court told him that the limit had been fixed and the time would not 
be extended. 

The case was submitted to the jury which soon returned a verdict 
for about one-fifth the amount for which the plaintift" sued. 

POCAHONTAS. 

Justice Miller of the Supreme Court of the United States related 
an amusing anecdote concerning his brother-in-law, Mr. Wainscott, 
of Richmond, Kentucky, who was an exceedingly good man, but 
wofully deficient in literary knowledge. The wife of Wainscott was a 
sister of the Justice, and a remarkably intelligent woman. 

There was a meeting of the Woman's Literary Club to be held 
one night at Wainscott's residence. His wife, knowing his literary 
deficiency, tried in every possible way to dissuade him from his de- 
clared purpose to be present, but without avail. The question for 
discussion was, "what country of the world had most cruelly mistreated 
its greatest son." 

One lady read an article on the mistreatment of Columbus, and 
another on the injustice shown Dante. Then the discussion became 
general until, at length, Wainscott remarked : 

"Ladies, you may all say what you please, but of all the badly 
treated men I have ever heard of, Pocahontas was the worst." 

Of course this provoked a roar of laughter, when the wife in an 
annoyed and disgusted way, exclaimed: 

"Why Mr. Wainscott, I am astonished that you do not know 
Pocahontas was a woman." 

Wainscott retorted : "How could you expect me to know that 
when you know I never read the Bible?" 

A GOOD ARITHMETICKER. 

Elder Franks, who was a most successful minister, lived in 
Lancaster, Kentucky. In one of his sermons, wherein he condemned 
the practice of ministers preaching laudatory funerals over any man 
who had prominence or money, whether deserving or not, he related a 
story of an old preacher of his native county who was famous for 
preaching such funerals, and of whom it was said he could always 
find some good to say of the dead. 

The meanest man in the county (of considerable wealth), having 
died, the old minister was sent for to preach his funeral ; and knowing 



Stories of William. O. Bradley. 149 

his capacity in that line, and believing that nothing- good could be said 
about the deceased, a large crowd attended through curiosity alone. 

The preacher thus delivered himself: 

"My Brethren and Sisters ; The deceased as you all know was a 
drunkard and frequently took the name of the Lord in vain ; he was a 
notorious liar and mischief-maker ; he was a gambler and usurer, and 
robbed the widows and orphans ; but I can truthfully say one good 
thing about him, he was the best arithmeticker I ever saw." 

WITHOUT LEGAL KNOWLEDGE. 

At the conclusion of the Civil War, Phil Lee (later a distinguished 
lawyer), Will Welch, and several other Confederate officers, who were 
preparing to return to their homes, were discussing their future plans. 
In the midst of their conversation some one suggested to Lee : 

"Phil, you will not have any trouble, for you will be able to prac- 
tice law." 

"No, no," Lee replied, "I didn't know but one law when the War 
broke out and that was repealed while I was in the army." 

GENERAL CHARACTER. 

Dick McRoberts, of Lancaster, was a negro of amusing character. 
When the weather was such that he could not work on the farm, he 
engaged in trapping coons, polecats, etc., and selling the skins. 

He was ignorant, but exceedingly shrewd. During a prosecut- 
ing trial in the Circuit Court he was introduced as a witness to 
attack the character of Garland Leavell. After qualifying himself, 
he stated that Leavell's general character for truthfulness was bad, 
and he would not believe him on oath when he was interested. He was 
then turned over to Senator Bradley for cross-examination. 

"You say Garland's general character is bad?" queried the 
Senator. 

"Dat's what I sed," promptly responded Dick. 

"Now, Dick," asked the Senator, "what is general character?" 

Dick complained that this was not a "far" question and stated, 
"Fs not gwine to answer it." 

The Judge instructed him that the question was a legitimate one, 
and he must answer it. 

"If I must, I must," said Dick. "Mr. Bradley, will you please ax 
dat question agin?" 

The request was granted, and the question again propounded. 
Dick pondered a little, and finally answered : 

"Well, I jist don't zackly know what a general cha-rac-ter is, but I 
do know Garl' Leavel haint got enny." 



ISO Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

A HESITATING AIDE. 

Everybody in Kentucky knew Maj. Alex Grant. He was pre- 
eminent as a story teller and all-round good fellow. 

In relating one of his war experiences, indicating fear with his 
big eyes — though he was a man of unflinching courage, it all 
being assumed — he would invariably convulse his hearers with 
laughter. 

He said that at the battle of Stone River, when he was acting 
aide to General John C. Breckinridge, he was ordered by the General 
to convey an order to the extreme left, and, in doing so, would have 
been compelled to ride several hundred yards directly in line with the 
enemy's fire. He started promptly, his horse in a gallop, and sud- 
denly he turned his horse's head, rode back and most earnestly re- 
quested the General to send some unmarried man in his place. The 
General sternly ordered : 

"Alex, I don't want any of your foolishness. Go immediately or 
I will have you court-martialed and shot." 

"All right," replied Alex as he turned away, "but if I ever get 
back home to Kate and the children you'll never catch me again 
trying to break up the best government the world ever saw." 

HE DID NOT LIKE 'EM. 

A good old Democrat in Central Kentucky one day said to Sena- 
tor Bradley : 

"Billy, you know I don't like Radicals except you ; but they are 
much better than these new-fangled people who are all over the 
country. If there is any set of people that I hate perlitically it is these 
Fannyticks, Anniechrists, and Mugworms." 

REMARKABLE LIBERALITY. 

Tom T , in making a speech alluded to the remarkable kind- 
ness of heart and liberality of his father, notwithstanding the old man 
was a well known skin-flint. In answering him, his opponent said : 

"Yes, I know his old daddy well, and have known him for yearis. 
He is a most liberal man — every time he kills a shoat he gives the 
bristles to the poor." 

LUSK AND MARSHALL. 

Samuel Lusk was a severe judge of the distant past. Tom Mar- 
shall was a practicing lawyer in his court. Marshall was a man of 
rare genius, great personal magnetism, a finished orator, and served 
from Kentucky, with great distinction, in the Lower House of Con- 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 151 

gress. He was a natural-born wit and, perhaps, never got the worst 
of it save in his encounters with Judge Lusk, It should be added that 
Marshall was in the habit of taking sprees. During one of these he 
appeared before Lusk and was guilty of some seeming disrespect ; 
whereupon the Judge fined him five dollars for contempt of court. 
Marshall expressed regret that he should have done anything to 
offend the Judge, which, he asserted, was foreign to his purpose. He 
added that he did not wish to be humiliated by being confined in jail 
because of his inability to pay the fine. Said he : 

"Judge, I do not know of any friend to whom I can more con- 
fidently appeal for help than you. Will you please loan me the 



money 



Turning to the clerk, the Judge remarked : 

"Mr. Clerk, enter an order remitting that fine ; the State can better 
afford to lose it than I can." 

SPEAKING ON BOTH SIDES. 

A rich old farmer of Woodford county shot, and severely, but 
not fatally, wounded a sixteen year old boy whom he had repeatedly 
warned not to hunt on his place. The boy sued him by next friend, 
and took a change of venue to Jessamine county, Marshall being his 
attorney. 

When it came Marshall's time to address the jury, he was very 
drunk. He spoke for sometime on the harassing character of devilish 
boys ; their utter disregard of the injunctions of men ; their contempt 
for old age, etc., etc. Mr. Hewitt, who w^s associated with Marshall, 
tried several times to indicate to him that he was speaking against his 
client, but on each occasion Marshall would thrust him aside. At 
length Hewitt unable to restrain himself longer, spoke out excitedly: 

"Great God ! Mr. Marshall, you are speaking against your client." 

For the first time the truth dawned upon Marshall, who, with the 
most perfect self-possession, exclaimed : 

"I know that, sir, as well as you. I have spoken thus to the jury 
in order to show them what will be said on the other side ; and now, 
gentlemen of the jury, I will proceed to answer it." 

He then launched into a speech replete with scathing abuse, 
brilliant eloquence, and tender pathos, until the jury were in tears, 
when he wound up with a stirring appeal for justice. 

The jury gave his client a handsome verdict. 



152 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

MARSHALL, BRECKINRIDGE AND CLAY. 

Tom Marshall and Rev. Robert J. Breckinridge were about the 
same age, and being young men of great attainments and considerable 
prominence, concluded they would force a debate with Henry Clay, 
who was considerably advanced in years. Never before was there a 
more forcible demonstration of the truth that "Fools rush in where 
angels fear to tread." Clay literally wiped them from the face of the 
earth. 

Years after, when Breckinridge had become distinguished for re- 
ligious controversies, and Marshall had become a confirmed drunkard, 
-the two met and shook hands, and Marshall exclaimed : 

"Well, Bob, old Clay drove you to the pulpit and me to the bottle ; 
but I believe that I have stuck closer to my text than you have." 

ANOTHER LETTER IN THE ALPHABET. 

Marshall lived in Danville for some years, and was always popu- 
lar with the Centre College students, he having graduated at that in- 
stitution. One bitter cold night several of the students were out on a 
lark, when they came upon Marshall lying on the street, almost frozen. 
They immediately picked him up, conveyed him to the hotel, and saw 
that he was given every care and attention. They concluded to sit 
down and wait a few moments to be assured he was out of danger, and 
then go to their different abodes. While waiting they got into a 
learned discussion as to whether or not another letter could be added 
to the alphabet. They finally concluded that such a thing was impos- 
sible, but seeing that Marshall had revived and was manifesting great 
interest, one of them inquired : 

"Mr. Marshall, can you add another letter to the alphabet?" 

To their astonishment he said he could. 

"Well," they inquired, "what letter would you add," 

"Letter Ip," (Let her rip), was his sententious answer. 

THE CROSS-EYED LANDLORD. 

Marshall boarded at the Field House in Danville for some time, 
and having failed to comply with his promise to pay board. Field 
became worn out with him and ordered him from the house. Marshall 
made a reply which enraged Field, who was a cross-eyed man, beyond 
endurance, and he raised his cane to strike. Marshall, with perfect 
self-possession, exclaimed : 

"Strike, strike, you old heathen. If you hit where you look you 
will miss me a mile." 



Stories of William 0. Bradley. I53 

PLAYED HIS HAND OUT. 

Grip Scott was a prominent citizen of Bryantsville, who was 
pretendedly, very strict with his children. One day he caught his son 
Robert playing poker ; whereupon, he gave him a severe drubbing, and 
then sat down in his presence and played out his hand. 

A BEER EXPERT. 

Sig Lascher, an excellent old German, was the proprietor of a 
brewery in Frankfort, Kentucky. In a case pending a witness had 
testified that although he had drunk fourteen glasses of beer during 
the day, he was thoroughly at himself at the time he witnessed the 
transaction concerning which he testified. Several physicians had 
testified as experts that the witness, in their judgment, could not have 
been free from intoxication, but, on the contrary, must have been in a 
confused state of mind. 

The attorney, desiring to sustain his witness, called Lascher to 
the stand, who testified that he had drunk beer daily from his earliest 
recollection; had for several years worked in a brewery, and for ten 
years had been engaged in the manufacture of beer; that during all 
this time he had seen a large number of men drink beer ; and that he 
knew he could state with certainty the amount of beer necessary to 
intoxicate. 

The court ruled the witness competent; whereupon, the question 
was asked : 

"Now, Mr. Lascher, from your experience as detailed, please tell 
the jury whether fourteen glasses of beer drunk at intervals during the 
day, would seriously, or otherwise, affect the body or mind of the 
individual who drank it?" 

"Veil," replied the witness," "ven I gets up mit te morning I trink 
haf tuzzen pottles pefore preakfast. Den, I sits down at te taple and 
trink six pottles, and at tinner I trink ten pottles. Den, after tinner I 
trink six pottles, and at supper I trinks six more pottles, and it does 
not make me trunk, or even affect my mind a leetle pit. I tells you, 
shentlemen, no man will git trunk on peer unless he makes a tampt 
hog of himself." 

A SLIGHT CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. 

James Dinwiddie had been a dreadful sinner, but finally de- 
termined to change his course and join the church. Brother Cook, 
through whose preaching he was converted, some eight months after, 
was passing in the neighborhood, and, meeting a faithful negro slave 



154 Stories of IVilliam 0. Bradley. 

of Dinwiddie's, inquired after his master's health, and, also, his spir- 
itual welfare. Uncle Ned answered: 

"Well, Marse Cook, Ole Marse's helth am fine — he's jes as spry 
as a two year ole colt wid a ban of music behind him. Afore he jined 
de church, when he went out on Sundays to chop wood, he alius toted 
his ax on his shoulder, but now, pleeze de Lord, he alius totes it under 
his coat." 

JAKE BRONSTON AND THE BULL. 

Thomas Bronston, of Madison county, Kentucky, was a thrifty 
farmer and an old-fashioned preacher. He had the peculiarity of pre- 
facing many of his sentences with the expression, "That thar is to say." 

Like some preachers, he had a wild son who now and then drank 
to excess. This boy had been given the scriptural name of Jacob, but 
had about as few of the characteristics of that patriarch as any other 
living man. One day the old gentleman was going home, when he met 
his promising son astride a bull. 

"That thar is to say, my son, where are you goin'?" inquired the 
angered father. 

"I am going to town," said Jake as he passed, reeling, on the bull. 

"That thar is to say, my son, you are a liar; you are goin' to 
hell just as fast as that thar bull can carry you," was the old man's 
parting remark. 

MULLINS' GRACE. 

Dr. Mullins was a fine doctor of the old school, and an exceed- 
ingly hospitable citizen, living in Garrard county, Kentucky. He was 
an intense Whig and was much prejudiced against Democrats. There 
was a political debate at Bryantsville, near his home, and he invited 
the speakers and some of their friends to take dinner with him. After 
they were all seated, the doctor closed his eyes very devoutly, and 
pronounced the following blessing: 

"Oh Lord, bless these table comforts and make each of us thank- 
ful. I don't like Democrats much, no how, sah." 

THE TWO DOCTORS. 

Dr. Alex McKee, of Danville, Kentucky, was an excellent phy- 
sician and a man of high character. He was called by Albert Hern- 
don, a well-to-do farmer and horse doctor near Lancaster, in old 
slave times, to attend a slave whose leg was broken. After the negro 
recovered, the doctor presented his bill to Herndon for fifty dollars. 
Herndon complained that the bill was too much. McKee told him 
that it had required considerable expense and much study to enable 
him to learn how to do such things, and that, besides, he had made 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 155 

two trips, about forty miles in all, and he could not afford to take 
less ; besides, his reputation was at stake. So the bill was paid. 

Sometime after this McKee's horse was slightly crippled and he 
sent him to Herndon for treatment. In about a week the horse, fully 
recovered, was sent home to McKee. 

About two weeks after this occurred, Herndon presented his bill 
for fifty dollars. McKee denounced the charge, when Herndon said: 

"Doctor McKee, it took me some time to learn how to doctor that 
horse, as well as cost me some money. I made two trips to Danville ; 
one to to take him to my farm, and another to return him. Besides, I 
beg you to remember that my reputation was at stake." 

McKee thoroughly appreciated the joke, and paid the bill. 

"CUSS" THE COURT. 

A young lawyer who lost his first case in the Kentucky Court 
of Appeals, went to one of the judges (Duvall), and stated his trouble. 

"Judge, this is my first case in your court. I told my client that 
if I did not gain it, I would never practice law another day. Now, 
what on earth am I to do?" 

"Oh," said the Judge, "my young friend you are not in much 
trouble after all. Go home, and 'cuss the court.' " 

JUST ONCE. 

Madison C. Johnson was a famous lawyer of Lexington, Ken- 
tucky. He was a very sober, sedate, dignified man, who was never 
known to lose his temper or tell an anecdote, but once. 

Major Turner, of Richmond, told before a crowd in Johnson's 
presence how Major Bradley had criticised a section in the Kentucky 
Code, (which was compiled by Johnson), declaring that the singular 
should include the plural, and the plural the singular; and the mas- 
culine, feminine and neuter gender, should each include the other two. 
He said that Bradley had said that a client of his bought a cow, and 
sued for two cows, and that a woman had undertaken to milk a cow 
when, all of a sudden, it turned into a bull and horned her to death. 

Mr. Johnson was very sensitive, and the story by Turner angered 
him even more than the criticism. So he asked the Major if he had 
heard the story of the young lawyer, who, a short while before, had 
appeared before an old Justice of the Peace in his county. Turner 
answered that he had not. 

"Well," remarked Johnson, "he arose with his coat tightly button- 
ed about him and said : 'Non est factum' ; does your Honor understand 
that?" 



156 Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

"I do," replied the Justice. In even a louder voice the young man 
exclaimed : 

" 'Nadum pactum'; does your honor understand that?" 

"I do," responded the Justice with some heat. 

The young man, then standing on tip-toe, roared out in a voice 
of thunder: 

" 'E pluribus unum'; does your honor understand that?" 

"Yes," replied the Justice, "and I understand you to be not only a 
d d fool, but an ill-bred ass." 

"And I now say the same to you. Major Turner;" and Johnson 
walked away leaving the Major somewhat dared. 

PUNISHMENT AFTER DEATH. 

Bill Fritz Baker, of Garrard county, Kentucky, was a queer citi- 
zen. He was cross-eyed, bandy-shanked and knock-kneed, a stranger 
to soap and water, and blissfully ignorant of the purpose of a brush 
and comb. Coming upon a snake in the road, he chopped off its head 
with a hoe, and then commenced laboring it with the handle. A 
gentleman standing by remarked: 

"Bill, don't you know that snake is dead?" 

"Shore!" replied Bill. 

"Then, what are you beating it for?" 

"Becuz," said Bill, "I want ter show him that thar's sich a thing 
as punishment arter deth." 

STORIES BY ED. MORROW. 

The following are a couple of stories from the "reportoire" of 
Edwin P. Morrow. 

CHARGE TO A GRAND JURY. 

A Circuit Judge in Eastern Kentucky delivered the following 
charge to his grand jury : 

"Gentlemen of the Grand Jury : I have heretofore instructed you 
concernin' the totin' of pistols, the sellin' of liquor, disturbin' religious 
worship and all the other crimes that infest this neighborhood. But 
now gentlemen, I want to call your attention specifically to the most 
heinous offense that has been committed within the knowledge of 
this court. 

"Gentlemen : The good deacons of the Piney Grove Meetin' House, 
in the righteousness of their hearts, went down to the banks of the 
Cumberland River and thar, with great care, selected two of the most 
promisin' saplins growin' thereon and brung them back and planted 



Stories of William O. Bradley. 157 

them in the yard of the meetin' house, expectin' them to grow and 
flourish and spread a grateful shade, and, gentlemen, them trees was a 
growin' fine to behold ; gentlemen, witness the pervarsity of mankind ; 
long comes two or three of them Buck Boys with their hats set on the 
back of thar heads, with red bandana handkerchiefs round thar 
throats, and cattrige belts around thar middles. They rode into the 
meetin' house yard and hitched their nags to them foresaid saplings, 
and while the congregation war interested at thar worship them nags 
chawd all the bark ofen' them saplins and totally destroyed 'em. 

"I say to you, gentlemen of the jury, that a man that would do 
the like of that, would hitch a jackass to the Tree of Life ; indict them, 
gentlemen, indict them." 

PLEA OF SILAS SULLIVAN TO U. S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY. 

"Mr. Destrict Attorney: I war a republican storekeeper at the 
Big Spring distillery in Russell county. 

"The Presidential election war at hand and the Democrats a 
workin' tooth and toenails. I rit to the Republican campaign charman 
askin' him to send me money and liquor with which to fight, but I got 
nothin', and thar cum in the Bertrams and thar folks a-scourin' the 
whole neighborhood for the Democrat party, and I sez to mysef, sez I, 
this air liquor were made under a Republican administration and I 
am a Republican storekeeper-ganger, and the welfare of this air 
country is at stake, and I went into that air warehouse and tuck there- 
from ten gallons of Kaintucky liquor and used it for the eternal good 
of the grand old party. 

"Indite me, if you will, but I would ruther that my heart should 
feel the chill of chains, than to see the American Eagle whupt by a 
Shanghai rooster." 

LITTLE CHANGE. 

An aged member of the Methodist church, during a "love feast," 
related the following experience : 

"My brethren, years ago I was a very wicked boy, who indulged 
in every perversity and sin. One day about forty years ago, I looked 
down into my heart and discovered that I was as mean as hell and 
as ugly as the devil, and — " 

At this juncture an old brother observed : 

"Well, brother John, considering the great length of time that 
has passed, I think you have changed less than any man I ever knew." 



158 Stories of William O. Bradley. 

HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN GUILTY. 

At a time when all that was necessary to convict a negro was to 
charge him with crime, such a conviction was had in Garrard county, 
Kentucky. General Dan Collier, who was a brave, intelligent man, 
who despised injustice, arraigned one of the jury severely for the 
verdict, saying there was not only no evidence sufficient to establish 
the man's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but there was really no 
evidence against him at all. 

"That ma}'^ be true. General." replied the juror, "but you know 
jest as well as me, that nigger might have been guilty." 

UNDERSTOOD HIS DUTY. 

Hon. Charles Simrall, of Covington, Kentucky, was for many 
years the chief attorney of a railroad in Kentucky. While engaged 
in trying a suit for damages against the company, he introduced, and 
had sworn, an Irish section boss of the road, as a witness. Having 
proven his name, place of business, and the position he held under the 
company, he inquired : 

"What are your duties?" (of course, referring to the duties of 
the place he held) ; when, to his consternation, and the great amuse- 
ment of the audience, Pat responded : 

"Misther Seemrall, I tho't ye knew that 'tis me duty to swear to 
the best advantage of the company." 

ADVANCING BACKWARD. 

Miles Schooler was a very dignified and pretentious old negro 
who regularly swept and dusted the Baptist church in Lancaster, 
Kentucky. He possessed a wonderful vocabulary, as appears in this 
story. He was called as a witness and was requested to state all he 
knew about the difficulty : 

"Well, gentle-men, I saw a consternation and believed a catas- 
tro-phy wuz about to happen. I rushed up whar the crowd was dis- 
sembled, and when I retched thar, Mister Bill Baker was advancing 
forrids in a menacin' manner and karving attitude on Mister Tait ; 
Mister Tait advanced backwards with Mister Baker followin' him ; and 
finally Baker cotch up and stob'd him. I then attired, and seed no 
moah of the dif-fi-kilty." 

A FARMER'S ADVICE TO HIS SONS. 

Governor John B. Thompson, of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, was 
engaged in a case where a number of doctors had sworn against his 
client, and was undertaking to ridicule their testimony. He said 



Stories of William 0. Bradley. 159 

that an old gentleman of his county, many years before, while lying- on 
his death bed, called his four sons, who were quite young, around him, 
and gave this advice: — 

"William, you are a bright, smart fellow, and you must prepare 
yourself to practice law. 

"Charles, you are shrewd and quick, and you should qualify 
yourself as a trader. 

"Thomas, you are sober, serious, and industrious ; by all means 
you should be a farmer. 

"John, you are a hopeless fool, and I suppose you are not fit for 
anything but a doctor." 

A CHOLERA DOCTOR. 

In 1843, the cholera raged in the little town of Lancaster, Ken- 
tucky, and among the doctors who remained at their posts was Dr. 
Sternberg, an old German, who knew absolutely nothing about the 
practice. 

He was called one day to attend a stone-mason, and being de- 
tained did not reach the house for some time, when he found the man 
much relieved and able to sit up. He inquired of the wife what 
remedy she had given him, and was informed that she gave him a 
plate of beans and a piece of bacon. 

He immediately drew his memorandum book from his pocket and 
made this entry: 

"Remedy for cholera : Plate of beans and a piece of bacon." 

Shortly afterward he was called to the bedside of a cobbler. He 
immediately prescribed, "A plate of beans and a piece of bacon," 
which the wife happened to have at hand, and immediately forced 
down her husband's throat. In less than twenty minutes the cobbler 
died ; whereupon, Sternberg jerked out his memorandum book and 
made this entry immediately below that made a short while before : 

"The above is a good remedy for stone masons, but a darned poor 
remedy for cobblers." 

A GENEROUS INVITATION. 

Illustrative of the generous hospitality of the Kentucky moun- 
taineer. Col. John W. McCuUough, of Owensboro, Kentucky, relates : 

"I was traveling through the Kentucky mountains, and lost my 
way. The sun had gone down and darkness was rapidly approaching 
as I rode up to an humble cabin and stated my unfortunate plight, and 
asked if I could remain over night. 



l6o Stories of William 0. Bradley. 

" 'Light, Stranger, and come in if you can put up with out fare/ 
was the ready response. 

"When supper time arrived I was invited to partake, and was as- 
tonished to observe that the only food on the table was a plate of 
potatoes. My host passed the plate with the request : 

" 'Stranger, take a tater,' which I readily did. 

"In a short time he invited me to 'take another tater.' At length, 
seeing that I had eaten the second potato, he pushed the plate over to 
me and said: 

" 'Stranger, take d d nigh all the taters,' " 

RETORT COURTEOUS. 

Ex-Senator Paynter and Senator Bradley were the best of friends, 
and the following incident transpired between them on the floor of the 
Senate. Senator Owen, in addressing the Senate, referred to the fact 
that the Kentucky Legislature had endorsed the bill he favored. 
Senator Bradley remarked that the Kentucky Legislature was not at 
all times sane. Senator Paynter asked Senator Bradley "if in making 
that remark he referred to the Legislature that met about two years 
before." (The time when Bradley was elected to the Senate.) Sen- 
ator Bradley answered : 

"I did not, but I did have especial reference to the Legislature 
that elected my colleague." (Senator Paynter.) 

HEARTY APPROVAL. 

Before Chief Justice Peters of the Kentucky Court of Appeals 
was elevated to the bench, a client from a distant section spent the 
night with him. When the hour of retiring arrived the Judge, who 
was a strict member of the Christian Church, seated himself by a 
small table and, taking up the bible, said : 

"My friend, we always have family worship before going to bed." 

The client replied : 

"D d good idea, d d good idea, Judge." 

PECULIAR FORTIFICATIONS. 

During the Civil War, Col. Hoskins, in command of a brigade, 
was fortifying the Columbia road which entered Somerset, Kentucky, 
in order to resist the approach of General Zollicofifer's Confederate 
forces. However, this was not the only road entering the town. 

Being very proud of his work he invited Hon. Joshua F. Bell to 
go out and view the fortifications, which Mr. Bell readily did. After 
viev.'ing the works, Mr. Bell remarked : 



Stories of William O. Bradley. l6l 

"They are certainly splendid fortifications, but, Colonel, have you 
any agreement with Zollicoffer that he will enter the town by this 
road?" 

UNDER COMPULSION. 

Dr. W. F. Scott, of Somerset, Kentucky, at the breaking out of 
the Civil War, was an intense Union man and engaged actively in 
procuring young men to join the army. Among others he advised M. 
Claunch to volunteer. Claunch asked him why he (Scott) did not 
take that step. Scott responded : 

"Because I am a doctor, and am compelled to remain here in order 
to look after the health of the people." 

"Well," said Claunch, who was an undertaker, "I, too, am com- 
pelled to remain for the purpose of burying your patients." 



Speeches of William O. Bradley 



SPEECH SECONDING THE NOMINATION OF GEN. GRANT 

FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN THE REPUBLICAN 

NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 1880, 

AT CHICAGO. 

Note — This convention is so historic that no especial reference 
to it is here needed. WilHam O. Bradley was one of the "immortal 
306" delegates in the convention who stood in solid voting plalanx 
for the third-time nomination of General Grant until the nomination 
of Garfield resulted. Grant was placed in nomination in a great 
speech by the superb Conkling, leader of the Grant forces, and this 
great seconding speech was delivered by Bradley. 

Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the Convention : I have never 
before witnessed such a scene of enthusiasm as this, and never expect 
to again until after the election of Gen. Grant in November. (Cheers.) 
We, too, heard the portentous storm of which the gentleman from 
Maine spoke. We beheld the bright lightning and heard the rolling 
thunder in its stately march. We saw the old Ship of State — strained 
in every timber — tossed upon the foaming waves of an angry sea. 
Again we beheld her as she safely entered port, but the pilot who sat 
at her wheel was the grand old hero, magnificent in the majesty of 
his silence. (Cheers and laughter). 

I desire to second the nomination of that man who, through 
the goodness of God, during the darkest hours of our nation- 
ality, became the leader of the noblest army whose banners 
ever darkened the sky. (Applause.) Swept on by the waters 
of the lordly Mississippi from victory to victory, he, at length, wound 
his grand army like a serpent around the embattled hosts of treason 
and crushed them within its ample folds. (Cheers.) He gave voice 
and strength to the proclamation which struck the shackles from four 
millions of fellow-creatures. (Cheers.) The merciless slave driver 
tremblingly read it by the flash of his victorious cannon. (Cheers.) 
He pinned it on the breast of murderous treason with a million loyal 
bayonets. (Loud and prolonged applause.) And when the Con- 
federate chieftain surrendered his sword he accepted it with one hand, 
while, with the other, he gave substantial aid to his brave and fallen 
foe. (Applause.) There never was a success, however complete, 
that witnessed his persecution of a powerless enemy ; there never was a 
misfortune, however dire, that visited his country or his friend, that 
witnessed his betrayal of either. (Immense applause and cries of 



i64 Speeches of William O. Bradley. 

"never") Called by a grateful people twice to the office of President 
to perfect that which was baptized with the fires of battle and sealed 
with the covenant of blood, he, at all times, proved honest, efficient, 
capable, and brave. (Applause.) By his wise statesmanship our 
relations with other countries were extended and strengthened, pro- 
tection was offered the humblest man beneath the flag, and arbitration 
palsied the hand of war. And when the hour of financial distress 
came upon us, and some of our most trusted leaders were lost in its 
tangled meshes, in a laconic message of half a dozen lines he dispersed 
the angry horde that was clamoring at the door of the Treasury, and 
made specie resumption a possibility. (Applause.) Descending from 
this high estate, he girdled the earth with renown as he traveled in 
the pathway of the sun. (Applause.) Wherever he journeyed kings 
lifted their crowns in recognition of his merit, and nations hastened to 
do him honor. (Cheers.) But amid all this pageant, this hero 
worship, this grandest experience the world has ever known, he ever 
remained the plain and unassuming American citizen. We heard his 
voice as it came over the white-caps of the sea : "It is not on my account 
these honors are done me, but by reason of the great country I repre- 
sent." (Loud cheers.) 

In this momentous hour, when we reflect upon our recent 
history ; when we remember that only a few months since the 
dominant party in Congress undertook to starve the Nation 
to death and throttle the Executive; when we recollect that only a 
short while after that Democracy attempted to defeat the will of Maine 
at the ballot box ; when we recall the recent threats of those exalted in 
power to inaugurate "their" President, whether elected or not, we turn 
instinctively to Grant. (Loud cheers.) We demand a man whose 
very name will carry terror to the hearts of our country's foes. 
(Cheers.) We demand a man, at the sound of whose bugle call, a 
million soldiers will spring into being to inaugurate him, if legally 
elected. (Tremendous applause). We demand a man, who, rising 
to the necessities of the hour, may say, "Let us have peace," and whose 
voice will be heard and heeded all over our beautiful land. (Cheers.) 
We demand a man whose name is the synonym of power — not kingly 
power, but the power which represents a preserved nationality on the 
one hand and a defeated treason on the other. (Cries of "good" and 
cheers.) 

I come not here to sound the praises of a trained politician ; 
of a trumpeter, who, inciting others to battle, slily creeps away and 
hides himself during the conflict, and, when it is over, crawls forth and 
claims the victory which others have honorably won. (Applause and 



speeches of William 0. Bradley. 165 

laughter.) He sits enthroned in the hearts of fifty millions of people, 
wearing no imperial crown, but a wreath of modest laurel, in which 
glitter such names as Donelson, Vicksburg, Shiloh, and Appomattox. 
(Loud applause.) The slanders of lying tongues, the malice of 
envious hearts, have not been able to tear a single leaf from that 
crown. (Applause.) They may, for a moment, have darkened the 
luster of his name, but, vanishing before the light of truth as clouds 
before the sun, have left it only brighter by the contrast. His fame 
is as broad as the universe, as deep as the ocean which, with pride, so 
recently bore him on her bosom, and will live as long as the heavens 
bend above us, or the stars are reflected in the sea. (Immense ap- 
plause.) 

Kentucky, — holding within her bosom the ashes of the "Great 
Commoner," and in her heart the memory of her best and 
greatest native son, the adopted child of Illinois and our martyred 
President, — instructs me, in the name of these and her hundred thou- 
sand brave soldiers who marched under his command, to second the 
nomination of U. S. Grant. (Loud and continuous applause.) 



SPEECH DEDICATING THE KENTUCKY BUILDING AT THE 
WORLD'S FAIR AT CHICAGO, JUNE ist, 1893. 

Into this splendid presence we come to dedicate the "Old Kentucky 
Home," Surrounded, as it is, by the buildings of the other States, it is 
appropriate that, while honoring Kentucky, we should honor the 
Nation, as well. 

Today, the history of our country passes before us in grand 
panoramic review. The humble colonies which, but little more than 
one hundred years ago, gave utterance to that immortal declaration 
that went ringing 'round the world, have been transformed, as by the 
magician's wand, into the richest country on the globe, the workshop 
and granary of the world. The principles then enunciated expanded 
as the years rolled on, until the last vestige of slavery that obscured 
the flag was torn away, and its unveiled stars lighted the world. 
Meanwhile, we have been taught that poverty is not a badge of in- 
feriority, but that intelligence and true manhood alone constitute the 
standard of American citizenship. From every cabin there is a path- 



i66 Speeches of William 0. Bradley. 

way that leads to fame, and along its unpretentious course, to the 
Chief Magistracy, have passed the nation's most illustrious sons. 

In view of this almost boundless wealth, these wonderful possi- 
bilities, this perfect liberty, let us renew our vows at Freedom's shrine, 
and form higher and nobler resolutions for earnest and patriotic en- 
deavor. Let us not forget that this nation was created by the people, 
that it is founded on their intelligence and patriotism, and that its 
perpetuity depends on the ceaseless cultivation of the one, and the un- 
fettered promotion of the other. Education is the fountain of 
national prosperity, and, if neglected, the Republic must sooner or 
later take its place in the scepterless empire of forgotten dust. Let 
us strive to awaken the mind and conscience of the masses, to a 
realization of the truth that party fealty should at all times be held 
subservient to the public good; and that, after each contest for 
national supremacy, the contending waves of political strife should 
sink to rest as the billows after the storm. 

In this dedication, Kentucky gives homage to the undaunted 
courage, indomitable perseverance, and unerring judgment of Chris- 
topher Columbus. The sheen of his fame extends across the waters, 
culminating here in a blaze of glory. 

But, while we congratulate ourselves on the country's splendid 
progress and the liberality of its institutions, and while we honor the 
memory of men, we should remember, that for all we are and all we 
hope to be, we owe the first and most sacred debt of gratitude to the 
power that directed the caravels of Columbus across the trackless 
deep ; that strengthened the arm of Washington in the struggle for In- 
dependence; that has watched over us with so much tenderness dur- 
ing all these eventful years; and the State and Nation should, on 
bended knees, with reverential voice, give thanks to Him "who layeth 
the beams of his chamber in the waters, and rideth on the wings of the 
wind." 

This day, with her sister States, Kentucky joins in Freedom's 
swelling chorus as it sweeps from sea to sea. With them she extends, 
in hospitality, a hand that never struck defenseless foe and never 
knew dishonor. God, bless Kentucky! We would not part with one 
atom of her soil or one line of her history. Would that I might 
weave a fitting garland for her brow! Would that I possessed the 
brush and genius of Raphael, that I might paint her as she is ! 
Would that, with the chisel of Phidias, I might create anew the forms 
and features of her glorious sons! Would that, with the descriptive 
power and vivid imagery of Byron, I might portray the lives and 
actions of her heroes and statesmen! Would that I were gifted with 



speeches of William O. Bradley. 167 

the sublime and soaring melody of Milton, that I might charm the 
world with the song of her glory ! But, even then, I should be unable 
to reproduce the verdure of her fields, the grandeur of her mountains, 
the brightness of her skies, the heroism of her people, the wisdom of 
her statesmen, and the beauty of her women — God, bless them ! — "the 
fairest that e'er the sun shone on," 

As convincing proof of the truth of this claim of Kentucky's 
superiority, we point with pride to the chief lady officer of this Expo- 
sition, Mrs. Potter Palmer. It is difficult to conjecture what would 
have become of this great state of Illinois had not Kentucky given her, 
Lincoln, Stevenson, Cullom, Carter Harrison, Oglesby, and Mrs. 
Palmer. 

One hundred and one years ago, this day, Kentucky was admitted 
into the Union. She was among the first to enter, and will be the last 
to leave it. Her history has been eventful. The trials, endurance, 
and heroism of pioneer life were never more fully exemplified else- 
where. Harrod, Boone, Kenton, Clark, McAfee, Whitley, and Logan 
are names blended with hers as the warp is blended with the woof. 
They hewed their way through forests primeval, and drove the savage 
beyond her borders. After them came the pioneer statesmen, Mar- 
shall, Bullitt, Nicholas, Brown, Breckinridge, and Clay. The sons of 
these knight-errants of civilization inherited the endurance, bravery, 
and ability of their sires. No wonder then, it is, that the name of 
Kentucky is famous throughout the world. 

Her statesmen have taken a leading part in every great contest 
since she became a State. In every battle fought for the honor and 
safety of the Republic, she has taken an important and enviable part. 
The blood of her sons has enriched every field, and their deeds illum- 
ine every page of the Nation's history. In the beautiful cemetery, 
that from the frowning cliff overlooks the Kentucky's placid waters, 
sleep many of h^r bravest sons. The monument to gallant Richard 
Johnson tells the glory of the Thames, while within its shadow lie the 
remains of McKee, Clay, and others, borne by loving hands from 
bloody Buena Vista. Above them the State has reared a monument, 
to whose base, the rising generation may go for patriotic inspiration, 
and read the simple story of the brave and true, whose death and 
lives, as well, added luster to the name of their dearly beloved Com- 
monwealth. In life, they loved their State; in death, she has not for- 
gotten them. 

Nor would we draw the veil over the Civil War that swept with 
cyclonic fury across the State ; for, the anguish and desolation that fol- 
lowed in its path are more than compensated for by its splendid achieve- 



i68 Speeches of William O. Bradley. 

ments. From Kentucky came the two chief actors in that memorable 
struggle — Lincoln and Davis. The one, imbued with the zealous faith 
of Peter the Hermit, wielded the ax of Richard ; the other, endowed 
with the chivalry of Bayard, wielded the scimiltar of Saladin. On 
either side Kentuckians went forth to battle, and wherever they fought 
or fell, won fresh laurels for their mother's crown. It is not proper at 
this time that we should enter into a discussion of the cause or merit 
of that great conflict. Its glories belong to us ; its animosities to obliv- 
ion. Nature, with vines and flowers, has obliterated every mark that 
defaced the landscape ; the roar of cannon has been succeeded by the 
sad, sweet notes of the dove ; while time has healed every wound, and 
with fingers, kindly deft, erased malicious hate from every heart. 
With equal warmth the same bright sun shines over all ; the same pure 
stars their ceaseless vigils keep above the silent chambers of her sol- 
dier dead; while Kentucky, with impartial tenderness, holds their 
ashes in her bosom, their memories in her heart. From their mingled 
dust has bloomed the flower of Hope. Forever perish the impious 
hand that would pluck it from the stem ! 

In coming years, after the survivors of the blue and gray have 
crossed the shadowy line, their backs to time, their faces to eternity, 
should foes without, or enemies within, assault this fair fabric of con- 
stitutional liberty, the Hobsons and Morgans, the Harlans and Black- 
burns, the Frys and Lewises, the Landrams and Helms, the Colliers 
and Dukes, the Rousseaus and Prestons, the Clays and Johnsons, the 
Boyles and Hansons, the Kellys and Marshalls, the Nelsons and Breck- 
inridges, will be found marching side by side under the dear old flag, 
protecting its shining folds from every stain, and planting it in tri- 
umph wherever honor points, or duty calls. 

To mention the names of all Kentucky's sons who have won re- 
nown, would require more than the time allotted now. In the realm 
of statesmanship, we point to Beck, Speed, Breckinridge, Letcher, 
Crittenden, Clay, and Lincoln. In surgery, to Jackson, Dudley, 
and McDowell. In journalism, to Penn, Harney, and Prentice. In 
theology, to Bascom, Waller, Johnson, Reece, and Breckinridge. In 
invention, to Kelley, Rumsey, and Barlow. In jurisprudence, to Owsley, 
Nicholas, Boyle, and Robertson. In oratory, to Marshall, Barry, 
Daviess, and Menefee. In advocacy, to Rowan, Hardin, and Wickliffe. 

Proud as she is of these departed sons, Kentucky may be congrat- 
ulated upon tlie fact that she has within her borders living sons, whose 
ability, learning, and distinction in all the avenues of life, are not 
surpassed by those who left her the legacy of their renown. 



speeches of William O. Bradley. 169 

From Translyvania, Georgetown, and Centre College, have grad- 
uated many able and brilliant men, who, as Congressmen, Governors, 
Senators, Judges, and Vice Presidents have reflected a halo around the 
names of Rice, Campbell, and Young, 

It was the hand of a Kentuckian that wrote the immortal pro- 
clam.ation which struck the chains from four million human beings. 
In common with Illinois, we revere his memory. Kentucky gave him 
birth, Illinois a home, the Republic its most exalted station. In return 
he gave freedom to a race, peace to the nation, his life to liberty, and 
to posterity a name, the most illustrious in all the tides of time. 

While contemplating Kentucky's achievements, we are not unmind- 
ful of her faults. We know that she does not, in wealth and progress, 
occupy the position to which she is entitled; but she is awakening 
from her lethargy ; she has entered, with spirit and determination, the 
race for supremacy ; and, strong of arm and swift of foot, must be the 
State that passes her before the goal is won. There is no State in the 
Union that possesses so many natural advantages. She has forests 
that have scarce felt the stroke of the woodman's axe; water power 
sufficient to propel the machinery of the world ; inexhaustible deposits 
of coal ; the swiftest horses ; the most valuable cattle ; a fruitful soil 
that is never ungrateful to the husbandman ; and a people whose rug- 
ged honesty, open-handed hospitality, lofty chivalry, and native 
intelligence are unsurpassed in any clime. Today, she invites, not the 
pauper and the anarchist, but all the worthy people of the world who 
may desire new homes, to come and sit down under her roof tree ; to 
seek the hidden wealth of her mountains, or to revel in the beauties of 
her pastoral repose where the bluegrass spreads its verdure, the tassle 
of the corn bends gracefully in the breeze, and the golden grain in rich 
profusion falls at the reaper's feet. 

All honor to Kentucky and Kentuckians ! May her future be 
even more glorious than her past. May her name grow brighter with 
each coming sunrise, and her fame broader with each setting sun. 
May her matchless daughters continue to occupy the same high place 
of womanhood, their beauty surpassed alone by their Christian vir- 
tues. May her sons, with sword and pen, write more enduring and 
illustrious names on the pillars of the Nation's temple than those 
who have gone before, and may her children never forget God or be- 
tray their country. And may all her sister States move grandly for- 
ward, overcoming every obstacle, accomplishing every desire, until 
the Nation shall become the perfection of human liberty and wisdom, 
the Anointed of God ! 



I/O Speeches of William 0. Bradley. 

"Lord of the universe ! shield us and guide us, 

Trusting Thee always, through shadow and sun ! 
Thou hast united us, who shall divide us? 

Keep us, oh, keep us, the Many in One! 
Up with our banner bright, 

Sprinkled with starry light ; 
Spread its fair emblems from mountain to shore ; 

While through the sounding sky. 
Loud rings the nation's cry, — 

Union and liberty ! — one evermore !" 



EXTRACT FROM WILLIAM O. BRADLEY'S SPEECH IN 
REPLY TO THAT OF GEN. P. WAT HARDIN, IN JOINT 
DEBATE AT THE OLD AUDITORIUM IN LOUIS- 
VILLE, KY., ON THE EVENING OF AUGUST 19, 
1895, WHEN THEY WERE OPPOSING 
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR. 

Note — General Hardin, in his opening speech, had made some 
reference to "Carpetbagger" and "Carpetbaggers" in speaking of 
Bradley and the Republican party, and Bradley, in his reply, made 
this response thereto : 

It is not my purpose here, tonight, to undertake to recount to 
you the history of the Republican party. I am here to discuss the 
living issues, and not those that are dead. The history of the Republi- 
can party, and the achievements of the Republican party, have been 
written by the pen of its statesmen and carved by the sword of its 
soldiers, and shall live when the memory of the present is dead. 
Neither am I here to speak of the War — as my friend (General 
Hardin), spoke of it. Thank God! the War has been over for many, 
many long years ; and I am one of those who believe that its animosi- 
ties belong to oblivion, and that its glories are the heritage of all. 

My friend, tonight, in undertaking to tell you the terrible things 
which would com.e upon Kentucky in the event that the Republicans 
should succeed, referred to the "carpetbag ring" in the South after the 
War. I would have my friend understand — and I have for him the 
highest personal regard ; but, as much as I love him, I want him to 
understand — that I am as much a Kentuckian as he is, and I am 
entitled to as much at the hands of the people of the State as he. I am 



speeches of William 0. Bradley. 171 

no "carpetbagger." I am not asking that I be permitted to fatten on 
the misfortunes of my State; but I am asking that you turn out of 
power the party that has fattened on her misfortunes. "Carpet- 
baggers !" Did I hear you say, "carpet-baggers?" My father and my 
grandfather before me, were Kentuckians. My people, on both sides, 
and my mother and my father, were Kentuckians; and I thank God 
for it! In this grand old State repose the dust of my ancestors, and 
the dust of my loved ones ; and I love old Kentucky, God bless her ! 

The past is behind us, the future before us. Let us march 
forward to the future with steady step, and true. Let us look for the 
good of our common country. Let us remember that we are brothers, 
all ; and, however, much we may condemn the political party opposed 
to us, we are one people, of one flesh, one bone, and one destiny ; and 
that destiny, the noblest, I trust, that God has ever vouchsafed to 
man. 



TRIBUTE, AS GOVERNOR, TO KENTUCKY, DELIVERED 

AT THE TIME OF THE CHRISTENING OF THE U. S. 

BATTLESHIP "KENTUCKY," AT NEWPORT 

NEWS, VA., MARCH 24, 1898. 

Note — Contrary to the usual custom of breaking against the 
vessel, in the ceremony of christening and launching, a flask of 
champagne or other spirituous Hquor, in the christening of the 
Battleship "Kentucky," performed by Miss Christine Bradley, 
daughter of Governor Bradley, a flask containing water from a 
spring on the farm in Hardin County, Kentucky, where Abraham 
Lincoln was born, was used. 

Which Kentucky? 

It is the Kentucky whose people, with one acclaim, return thanks 
to the distinguished Secretary of the Navy for the splendid compli- 
ment paid them today, and to the builders of the ship for their kind 
and generous courtesy and hospitality. 

It is the Kentucky whose name is written indelibly upon every 
chapter of the nation's history since her admission into the sister- 
hood of States. 

It is the Kentucky whose brave, bold pioneers rescued the wild- 
erness from the savage and made it blossom as a rose. 

It is the Kentucky, the eloquence of whose Clay, Crittenden, 
Marshall, and Breckinridge shook the halls of Congress and stirred 
the hearts of the people on the hustings. 



172 speeches of William O. Bradley. 

It is the Kentucky of waving- grass, and crystal streams ; of 
blended mountain-top and sky, and chivalrous men and beautiful 
women. 

It is the Kentucky whose gallant sons have won fame upon 
the ocean, and christened heathen lands with their precious blood. 

It is the Kentucky whose great heart beats with sympathy for 
every land, whose children hope and pray for recognition of the inde- 
pendence of suffering and starving Cuba, such as will send a thrill 
of joy to the hearts of struggling patriots and shake the palace of 
Madrid. 

Of this Kentucky I cannot fittingly speak in the short time 
allotted. But it is the other Kentucky that calls for speech and poetry 
and song; the "Kentucky" which today gave its first kiss to the sea. 
There is no better ship ; there could be no better name. 

When fully manned and equipped, she starts on her mission, we 
shall exclaim, "God, bless Kentucky on the land ; God, speed and pro- 
tect Kentucky on the seal" 

No ship has ever been christened as it has been. Not accord- 
ing to the custom of pirate Viking, clad with the skins of wild beasts — 
but with sparkling water from the spring which quenched the infant 
thirst of him who saved our country from destruction. And when 
the great ship majestically moves to the glorious destiny which is in 
store for it, it will be sanctified by the prayers of more Christian 
women than for all the others that have moved on the bosom of the 
deep. 

Whether under calm and cloudless skies, or struggling with 
tempest and wave, whether in peace or war, there shall hover over it, 
not the spirit of alcohol, which has destroyed so many lives, desola- 
ted so many homes, and caused the shedding of so much blood and so 
many tears, but the spirit of Kentucky's noblest son, the grandest 
man in all the tides of time, symbolized by God's gift to man — that 
which causes the earth to yield its fruits and harvests, which cleanses 
and purifies, which quenches the thirst of the living and relieves the 
parched lips of the wounded and dying. 

Purity and patriotism have today been blended in the christening 
of this ship, which, I predict, shall win more fame, gather more 
laurels, and accomplish more good, than any that has ever swept the 
sea. 

And, in parting with this noble vessel, Kentuckians with one 
voice, exclaim : 



Speeches of William 0. Bradley. I73 

"In spite of rock and tempest's "roar, 
In spite of false lights on the shore, 
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea; 

Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers and tears. 
Are all with thee, are all with thee 1" 



ADDRESS, AS GOVERNOR, AT CHICKAMAUGA PARK, AC- 
CEPTING AND DEDICATING THE KENTUCKY MONU- 
MENT—A NOBLE SHAFT, APPROPRIATELY 
INSCRIBED— MAY 3, 1898. 

NOTE :— The State o£ Kentucky erected a monument on the site of the Chicka- 
mauga battlefield to commemorate the brave deeds of Kentucky soldiers on 
both sides of the conflict in the Civil War. This erection — the first of its 
kind — was made agreeably to recommendation of Gov. Bradley to the Ken- 
tucky Legislature, and, on May 3, 1898, formal ceremonies were held at 
Chickamauga, and the shaft accepted from the Commission appointed to 
erect it, and turned over and presented to the Chickamauga Park Commis- 
sion, Gov. Bradley making the following beautiful and patriotic speech of 
acceptance and presentation : 

The State of Kentucky thanks you, and each member of the 
Commission, for the promptness, economy, efficiency, and ability with 
which you and they have discharged every duty connected with this 
good work. 

Standing within the shadow of Missionary Ridge, whose 
crest and sides but little more than a third of a century ago were 
lighted with glistening bayonets and the fires which flashed from 
musketry and cannon of Lookout Mountain, where contending armies 
mingled the colors of their uniforms with those of the clouds that hung 
about them ; surrounded by hills and valleys, across which swept 
armed legions to victory or defeat ; within sight of the spots hallowed 
by the blood of Croxton and Helm, a rush of glorious memories 
comes over us, causing each heart to throb more rapidly, and each 
bosom to expand with patriotic emotion. Here and there are beauti- 
ful monuments, erected by the various States in honor of their gallant 
sons ; and, today, Kentucky comes, with gentle and loving hand, to 
unveil a tribute to her noble race, placing upon the graves of the dead 
a wreath of immortelles, and crowning alike with laurels the brows of 
all who survived that terrible conflict. 



174 Speeches of William O. Bradley. 

Every land has its traditions, poetry, and song. In each is some 
monument which, with mute eloquence, proclaims, "Stop, traveler, 
thou treadest on a hero." History, indeed, is but the epitome of 
patriotism, and the whole earth its monument. 

But to be enabled, as are our people, to point to numerous battle- 
fields, where opposing armies of embittered enemies met in the shock of 
battle which startled the world, and, in a third of a century thereafter, 
to behold the remnants of those armies and their descendants congre- 
gating upon this historic spot in one common brotherhood, under one 
flag, each striving to do it most honor, is without a parallel in the 
annals of time, and its like will never be seen again. This is the grand- 
est of all monuments. A monument composed of love of country and 
complete reconciliation, whose base is as broad as our national do- 
main, and from whose summit angels of love and peace soar heaven- 
ward with each rising sun. 

Many monuments have been erected upon battlefields of this Re- 
public, but it has remained for Kentucky to be the first of all the States, 
with tender and motherly devotion, to erect a blended monument to 
all her sons; a monument that carries with it, and upon it, complete 
reconciliation of all contending passions. 

This shaft is dedicated, not alone to those who died on this and 
surrounding fields, but, also, to the gallant survivors, who, when the 
frowning clouds of war were dispelled by the bright sunshine of peace, 
returned to their homes to repair broken fortunes, and are today num- 
bered among the best and most distinguished citizens of the Common- 
wealth. 

Kentucky has evinced no partiality in this evidence of loving 
remembrance. It carries with it no heartburning, no jealousy, no 
invidious distinction. It is not an emblem of honor to the victor and 
reproach to the vanquished — but an equal tribute to the worth of all. 
In the future, the descendants of chivalrous Confederates may proudly 
gaze upon it, realizing that the State has honored their ancestors, and 
that, although their cause was lost, their heroism is revered, and their 
memories perpetuated. And the sons of the brave men who fought on 
the other side may look upon it with equal pride, feeling that it fitly 
commemorates the gallant deeds of their illustrious ancestors, who 
preserved the nation from destruction. May it endure forever, stand- 
ing guard over victor and vanquished, with the statue that surmounts 
it, in one hand holding the torch of liberty shedding abroad its benign 
rays ; in the other grasping the sword, emblematical of the strength of 
one people, ready and anxious at all times to uphold the integrity of 



speeches of William O. Bradley. 175 

our country, and to drive, wounded and bleeding from its shores, any 
insolent foe that shall ever dare invade them. 

The heroism of Buckner, Breckinridge, Helm, Preston and Lewis 
is the inheritance of every man who wore the blue; the gallantry of 
Rousseau, Crittenden, Whittaker, Croxton and Price, the inheritance 
of every man who wore the gray. They were all Americans, each, 
from his standpoint, contending for what he believed to be right, and 
now that we are one people in mind and heart, their common glory is 
our common heritage. 

The conflict of 1861 was inevitable. For years preceding that 
period we had two civilizations. One, founded on the "justice of slav- 
ery," and the sovereignty of each State, espoused by a brave and 
impetuous people ; the other, founded on the declaration that all men 
were created equal, and the sovereignty of the nation, espoused by a 
conservative and brave people. For years antagonisms and bit- 
terness increased between the sections until the dispute, by force of 
circumstances, was submitted to the arbitrament of the sword. 

The struggle was inaugurated by the South, not so much to dis- 
solve the Union — though that was its natural sequence — as to preserve 
property rights and to vindicate the doctrine of State sovereignty. It 
was met with the purpose of preserving the Union, establishing the 
supreme power of the nation, even though slavery should die ; and, 
later, for the direct purpose of making all men free. 

The statesmen of that day compare favorably with those of any 
period of the nation's history. The soldiers were as superb as any 
who ever veiled the sun with their banners, or shook the earth 
with their martial tread. Grant and Lee, Johnson and Sherman, Sher- 
idan and Jackson, Longstreet and Thomas, rank with the great captains 
of ancient or modern times. Battles were fought, which in point of 
fatality and numbers engaged, surpassed all which preceded or fol- 
lowed them. 

And now, after the mists of prejudice have melted from our 
eyes, and we are enabled to see the bright stars of truth and reason 
which shine beyond, all can plainly divine the sentiments which in- 
spired the actors in that bloody drama. 

That the Union should have been preserved and slavery abolished, 
all are ready to concede. That the victors won in honorable fight, no 
one will dispute. But while this is manifest, it is equally true that those 
who were fortunately defeated were inspired by sincere devotion to 
principles conscientiously believed to be just; that they fouglit with 
valor, equaled alone by those who opposed them, but never surpassed ; 



176 speeches of William O. Bradley. 

and their heroic suffering and bravery entitle them to the admiration 
of all mankind. 

There could be no more convincing evidence of the righteous ter- 
mination of that great struggle than the present grandeur and power 
of the Republic — today the richest nation on earth, the workshop and 
granary of the globe. 

No sane man would revive the institution of slavery, for the heroic 
blood of our negro troops has obliterated every lingering regret of 
the master, and proclaimed, in unmistakable language, that the liberty 
of 1898 is better than the slavery of 1861. 

A famous poem represents an imaginary midnight review of Na- 
poleon's army. The skeleton of a drummer boy arises from the grave, 
and, with bony fingers, beats a long, loud reveille. At the sound the 
legions of the dead Emperor come from their graves, from every quar- 
ter where they fell. From Paris, from Toulon, from Rivoli, from Lodi, 
from Hohenlinden, from Wagram, from Austerlitz, from the cloud- 
capped summits of the Alps, from the shadows of the pyramids, from 
the snows of Moscow, from Waterloo, — they gather in one vast array, 
with Ney, McDonald, Massena, Duroc, Kleber, Murat, Soult, and other 
Marshals in command. Forming, they silently pass in melancholy 
procession before the Emperor, and are dispersed with "France" as the 
password, and "St. Helena" as the challenge. 

Imagine the resurrection of the two great armies of the Civil 
War. We see them arising from Gettysburg, from the Wilderness, 
from Shiloh, from Missionary Ridge, from Stone River, from Chick- 
amauga — yea, from an hundred fields — and passing, with their great 
commanders, in review before our martyred President. In their faces 
there is no disappointment, no sorrow, no anguish, but they beam 
with light and hope and joy. With them there is no St. Helena, no 
exile, and they are dispersed with "Union" as the challenge and "Re- 
conciliation" as the password. 

The monument dedicated today may, in the rush of years, crumble 
and fall into dust, but around the summits of Lookout and Missionary 
Ridge, like gathered mists, shall remain forever the memories of 
these historic fields, and in every heart shall be a monument of love 
and strength and patriotism, which will perpetuate, through all com- 
ing time, the glories of that great conflict. 

Looking into the future, may not the fond hope be indulged : That, 
in the end, our country may, in all things, be deliberate, just, and wise? 
That our flag may wave in triumph, feared by tyrants in every land 
and on every sea? That beneath its folds shall gather the oppressed 
of every clime ; and that the slave, struggling beneath the rod of op- 



speeches of William 0. Bradley. 177 

pression, shall feel his chains grow lighter, his heart to leap with joy, 
and shall hail its colors as a deliverance? That nations which have been 
bitten by the serpent of rapacity and conquest shall look upon its folds 
and be healed, as were those, who, with faith, looked upon the brazen 
image which was lifted up in the wilderness? God grant that ours 
shall be the victory of enlightenment and liberty, the triumph of right 
over might, of justice over injustice, of humanity over cruelty and 
oppression, until empires shall have passed away and the nations of 
earth become one! 

And now, sir [to Gen. H. V. Boynton, President Chickamauga 
Park Commission] after thanking you for your uniform kindness and 
courtesy, I deliver into your worthy hands, as President of the Chick- 
amauga Park Commission, with the full assurance that it shall be 
properly cared for, this heartfelt tribute of Kentucky to her valiant 
sons. 

NOTE: — On this monument there was inscribed the following noble inscrip- 
tion, vital with the spirit of reconciliation and patriotism, written by Governor 
Bradley, and quoted in his Arlington and Kentucky Capitol addresess included 
herein : 

"As we are united in life, and they united in death, let 
one monument perpetuate their deeds, and one people, forgetful 
of all asperities, forever hold in grateful remembrance all the 
glories of that terrible conflict which made all men free and 
preserved every star on the Nation's flag." 



MEMORIAL DAY ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE NA- 
TIONAL CEMETERY AT ARLINGTON, MAY 30, 1910. 

This beautiful and impressive service should not be character- 
ized alone by sadness. It is, indeed, a sad thought that we are sur- 
rounded by the graves of so many brave men who died that our coun- 
try might live. Nevertheless, we rejoice that they did not die in vain. 

Nor is this the time or place to indulge in bitterness or hate. Such 
feelings have long since been consigned to oblivion by all patriotic 
Americans. If there be one who fought for the Union or who sym- 
pathized with the cause, or if there be one who fought or sympathized 
with those who fought against it, who has not forgotten the heart- 
burnings of the past, and who today cherishes malice or ill-will against 
his brother, he merits the anathemas of mankind, should receive 
divine pity, and be born again. 



178 speeches of William O. Bradley. 

The war having ended nearly half a century ago, for the instruc- 
tion of the rising generation it is appropriate to refer to its causes 
without entering into their discussion, for they have been settled 
forever by the sword. These causes were a difference in constitutional 
construction and the contention concerning the justice of slavery. The 
overwhelming majority of the white people of the South owned slaves 
or sympathized with those who did, and believed the institution to be 
just and right. They believed, also, that the States were the source of 
all power, could rightfully control the Nation, and might resist it even 
to the extent of withdrawing from it. 

Happily, in my State, there had lived a statesman who differed 
from the large majority of the great statesmen of the South, Henry 
Clay, who, many years before, had taught the people of Kentucky that 
they owed their first duty to the Nation, and their next to the State. 
Consequently, when the supreme moment arrived, the State of Ken- 
tucky, true to his teachings, loyally stood by the Union, contributing 
more than 86,000 of her sons to the Union army. 

Let no man say that the people of the South were actuated by a 
desire to destroy this country purely from malice or wickedness, for 
it is not true. We but do them simple justice when we say that they 
believed in the teachings of their statesmen, while those who opposed 
them believed in the teachings of theirs. These differences of opinion, 
alone, were the occasion of the bloodiest war in all history ; a war whose 
pathway was marked by the graves of dead heroes and the broken 
hearts of their widows and little ones. And yet, that war was a su- 
preme blessing. We never could have settled the controversy except 
by the sword, and now it is settled forever, and no man but an enemy 
to his country's peace and welfare will ever attempt to unsettle the 
fact that this Nation is sovereign, and that no State can withdraw 
from it without its consent. Nor will any sane, honest, or patriotic 
man ever attempt to again place the blot of slavery upon the American 
flag. And the Spanish-American war, too, was a blessing to our coun- 
try, because, when the swords of Grant and Lee no longer flashed over 
contending hosts, but reflected their blended light beneath the old flag, 
the whole world knew that while the swords of our countrymen were 
legion, "their bosoms were one." Nothing can be gained by re- 
calling the animosities of the past. This is our home, this is our coun- 
try; and, if we are to succeed, we must live as brothers and cultivate 
peace. I am not here to revile the soldiers who fought on the other 
side ; but, on the contrary, I declare that their bravery and prowess 
entitle them to the admiration of mankind. They fought for what 
they believed to be right ; we fought for what was right. It can not be 



speeches of William 0. Bradley. 179 

possible today that any sane man doubts that those who, in their silent 
chambers surround us, battled for the right. 

When we contemplate this great country, its network of railroads, 
telegraph, and telephone lines ; its great cables laid through the chain- 
less waters of the mighty deep, across which flash messages from 
every country of the world ; when we appreciate that the United States 
is the most wonderful Nation of the earth, the workshop of the world 
and its granary; when we see our broad fields of waving grain, our 
almost endless carpetings of grass and foliage lifting their rich offerings 
unto God ; when we behold our flag waving in the distant Philippines, 
and Hawaii, carrying with it religion, morality, and education ; when 
we see it floating from the ancient battlements of Porto Rico, and, but a 
short while ago, saw it waving triumphantly from the ancient walls of 
China; when we behold our splendid navy riding the waves of every 
sea, and our country, with all its power, at peace with all the world ; — 
what manner of man must we believe him to be who would say that 
the settlement of that contest was not right? 

On the battlefield of Chickamauga stands a monument erected 
by the State of Kentucky. The Commission conferred the very great 
honor of selecting from a message delivered by me as Governor the 
inscription on that monument. You will pardon me for quoting it, for 
I believe it epitomizes the feeling of every liberty-loving American 
citizen ; 

"As we are united in life, and they united in 
death, let one monument perpetuate their deeds, and 
one people, forgetful of all asperities, forever hold in 
grateful remembrance all the glories of that terrible 
conflict which made all men free and preserved 
every star on the Nation's flag." 

To the brave soldiers who saved the Union this country owes a 
debt of imperishable gratitude. Whenever I hear complaint of the 
pensions which these men are drawing my mind travels back to the 
full realization of all the suffering they endured, and I can not refrain 
from feeling a supreme contempt for him who utters it. 

I have seen with pain that many old soldiers and soldiers' widows 
are being turned out of the government service in order to economize 
expenses. This seems nothing short of base ingratitude. These wid- 
ows gave their husbands to the Nation ; these old veterans gave their 
service and risked their lives for it; and now the Nation that they 
have saved seems to have forgotten them. Well might they exclaim, 
had they but served their God as faithfully as they have served their 
country they would not be thus abandoned in their old age. Had it 



l8o Speeches of William O. Bradley. 

not been for them it is possible, even probable, that we would not have 
any governmental departments. 

In a Swiss town, fenced with iron and protected by stone, stands 
an ancient lime tree. Ask the humblest citizen what it signifies, and 
he will proudly answer: "It is the nation's monument." That tree 
carries us back more than four hundred years to the day when the 
liberties of Switzerland were staked on the bloody field of Morat, 
After the invading French legions had been defeated, a wounded sol- 
dier ran to proclaim the glad tidings to his countrymen. On the way 
he assisted himself in climbing the mountain and fording the stream 
with a staflf cut from a lime tree that stood near the battlefield. On 
reaching the town, exhausted and covered with blood, he sank to the 
earth and, shouting- the one word, "Victory !" — expired. The staff was 
taken from his lifeless hand and planted upon the spot, where it soon 
grew into a beautiful tree, through whose foliage the winds for four 
hundred years have been singing, "Victory !" 

On this day we should realize that every soldier's grave is the 
Nation's monument. Around them for nearly half a century the pass- 
ing winds have been singing, "Victory !" Not a victory of conquest, 
but a victory marked by kindness and forgiveness, which saved the life 
of the grandest and best nation the world has ever known. We re- 
joice not in the death of those who opposed us, but we do rejoice in 
the death of their cause. With one hand we draw the mantle of for- 
getfulness over the mistakes and bitterness of the past, while with the 
other we hold aloft the star-gemmed flag of the Republic, which, we 
trust, shall wave in glory until the heavens shall be rolled together as 
a scroll and the earth shall melt with fervent heat. 

History records that Hamilcar accompanied his son Hannibal, 
when a youth, into the temple, and had him take an oath of hate to 
Rome. And the pages of history tell the fidelity with which that oath 
was kept. On this day in each year our children should assemble 
around these graves and register an oath, not of hate, but of loyalty 
to our institutions ; an oath to preserve the Union of the States ; an oath 
to protect the liberties of the people and the Constitution, which was 
conceived in so much wisdom and patriotism, and has been baptized 
and re-baptized in the blood of so many of our brave sons. 

Today, we remember with pride the matchless services of Grant, 
Sherman, Sheridan, and Thomas, and their great armies which shook 
the earth with their martial tread. Many of these brave men have 
passed, and many are passing away. It is estimated that more than 
one hundred and thirty of them are dying between each rising and 
setting sun. The survivors and the widows of those who are dead are 



speeches of William O. Bradley. i8i 

the wards of the Republic, and should be remembered with an 
unsparing hand. While so many have died and are dying, their 
service to this country can never die. As long as the Potomac pours 
its waters into the Bay, as long as these firm hills shall stand, as 
long as these graves are watered by the clouds, mantled by the snows, 
and gilded by the sunshine, just so long will the name and fame of 
these heroes live and their sacrifices be unforgotten. 

Flowers are the reflection of God's smiles. Whether they adorn 
the brow of the beautiful, nod their heads on the hilltops, or nestle in 
the valleys, they have a language peculiar to themselves. In their 
services they are used to honor the memories and emphasize the actions 
of the dead soldiers of the Grand Army of the Republic. Hence, they 
speak with myriad tongues. They tell us of the white wings that 
shielded the soldiers from the storm, the bustling camp, the weary 
march, the ringing notes of the bugle, the furious charge, the rattle of 
musketry, the roar of cannon, the groans of the wounded, the pangs of 
defeat, and the shouts of victory. They tell us of the sufferings of 
widow and orphan, the calm quiet of the grave, and the everlasting 
love of a loyal people. They tell us of the shattered regiments that 
came marching home after the conflict had ended and melted back into 
civil life "as the billows melt into the sea." With tender hands and 
loving hearts we strew them above the hallowed dust of our heroes. 
Today, I would weave' a garland of roses and forget-me-nots for the 
graves of the Union, and one of lilies and myrtle for the graves of 
the Confederate dead. Upon the latter I would inscribe: 

"In loving forgetfulness of the animosities of the 
past we place these blossoms above those who 
bravely fought for a cause they believed to be right, 
and for the Republic as they thought it was." 

While on the former I would inscribe: 

"In loving remembrance of those who fought 
for a cause that was right and for the Nation that 
is." 

In all the national cemeteries are graves upon whose tablets are 
inscribed the sad and pathetically significant word, "Unknown." Such 
a monument is erected in this cemetery over more than 2,000 soldiers 
buried in one common grave. For these our feelings are peculiarly 
tender. They left happy homes, and weeping wives and mothers who 



i82 speeches of William O. Bradley. 

have never known their last resting place. Even now, ofttimes, in the 
stillness of the night tears are shed for these noble dead, and many a 
wife or mother longs — 

"For the touch of a vanished hand, 
And the sound of a voice that is still." 

Some years ago, in a secluded spot in a Kentucky cemetery, I ob- 
served a grave, on the headstone of which was rudely carved the words, 
"A Federal soldier." An aged lady was kneeling by it, seemingly en- 
gaged in silent prayer. When she arose she placed a wreath of flowers 
on the grave, and turned to depart. Attracted by her action and kind 
motherly face, I asked : 

"Is that the grave of your son?" 

With tears coursing down her withered cheeks, she responded : 

"No ; my boy was a Confederate soldier and died in a Northern 
prison. I was unable to bring his remains home, and he sleeps among 
strangers. On every Decoration Day a noble Northern mother, who 
has a soldier son sleeping somewhere in an unknown grave in South- 
ern soil, places flowers on the grave of my boy." 

Then, pointing to the little mound on which she had placed the 
wreath, she said : 

"It may be her boy is buried there, and, as long as God gives me 
strength, I shall come every Decoration Day and place flowers on that 
grave." 

Alas ! alas ! these dead are unknown here, but we indulge the hope 
that they are not unknown up yonder ; that their loved ones shall clasp 
their hands on the other shore ; — 

"For, oh ! if there be on this earthly sphere 

A boon, an offering, heaven holds dear, 
'Tis the last libation liberty draws 

From the heart that bleeds and breaks in her cause." 

The steps of the old veterans are feeble and slow, their locks are 
white, their eyes are dim, but to them how beautiful must be the pic- 
ture of America's present greatness. It is the star of freedom in the 
West. It sheds its light throughout the whole world ; it shines on 
every ocean wave, illumines every mountain crag, spreads over every 
smiling and restful valley, and is an inspiration to the oppressed of 
every land. These veterans preserved this asylum of the free. Let 
us thank them, not from our lips alone, but from our hearts. Let us 
thank them not, alone, with words, but by acts. When the country 



speeches of William O. Bradley. 183 

needed them they found a sword, and now that they need the country, 
let it find for them a home. 

Sometimes we are criticised for "flying the flag." Such a criticism 
is unjust. Too much can not be said about it, for it is loved by all. 
It is the emblem of the Nation's history, its grandeur, and its power. 
It borrows its colors from the sky. Its red symbolizes the blood of 
patriots, living and dead, from the War of the Revolution to 1910; 
from Bunker Hill to San Juan Hill ; and from Lake Erie to Santiago 
and Manila Bays. Its blue represents the uniform of the Nation's 
heroes ; its white the purity of our institutions ; its stars the great 
States of our glorious Union, firmly set in the firmament of freedom. 
It was the flag of Washington, Paul Jones, Jackson, Perry, Scott, and 
Grant. It is now the flag of every citizen of the Republic. It carries 
no badge of slavery, no stain of dishonor. On land or sea, at home, 
in Korea, in the Philippines, in Porto Rico, in the Hawaiian Islands, 
and on the frowning walls of China, it has been borne in triumph and 
in honor. It is the symbol of prosperity, liberty, and peace. It is lifted 
up for the healing of the nations as was the brazen serpent lifted up in 
the wilderness. 

Oh, the flag ! the flag ! We gaze upon it with patriotic emotion akin 
to adoration ; we press it to our bosoms with fervent affection. It was 
the flag of our fathers ; it is the flag of their sons ; it shall be the flag 
of those who come after us until there shall be sounded the last note 
of time ! 



ORATION DELIVERED JUNE 2, 1910, AT FRANKFORT, KEN- 
TUCKY, AT THE DEDICATION CEREMONIES OF 
THE NEW STATE CAPITOL. 

We are assembled at this splendid Capitol, the most enduring 
monument to those who conceived and constructed it, near the historic 
stream that laves the base of cliffs which, for ages, like grim sentinels, 
have stood guard over it ; above whose rugged brow lies the beautiful 
city of the dead in which sleep so many brave and gifted sons of Ken- 
tucky. In the midst of this inspiring scene, looking backward through 
the vista of the past, we are moved by many tender memories, and 
inspired with an ambition and patriotism which renew the strength of 
the old, and nerve the arms and hearts of the young who are soon to 
take the places of those who now direct the affairs of our beloved 



i84 Speeches of William 0. Bradley. 

Commonwealth. God grant that in wisdom, learning, and in all that 
makes men truly good and great, they may surpass those who have 
gone, and those who are now entering the twilight that soon shall melt 
into everlasting earthly darkness, as much as this splendid building 
surpasses in grandeur that which it supersedes ! 

While we, with so much pleasurable pride dedicate this building, 
we turn with painful and affectionate regret from the old Capitol 
around which cluster so many precious and glorious memories. To- 
day, the din of party clamor is stilled, and the wings of political strife 
are folded and at rest. Every sword is sheathed, and beneath the 
overhanging sky, peace, sweet peace, like a gentle benediction, hovers 
over all. We have forgotten all animosity, and are impressed only 
with the inspiring thought — that we are Kentuckians, proud of the 
State which we all love so devotedly, and which, those who come after 
us, shall love — 

" 'Till the sun grows cold, and the stars are old. 
And the leaves of the Judgment Book unfold." 

< 

The whole history of the Commonwealth now passes before us, 
not as an insubstantial dream, but as a splendid reality that causes 
each heart to swell with pride. 

We see Kentucky in the beginning — a gloomy and almost impen- 
etrable wilderness, whose stillness was broken, alone, by the cries of 
savages and wild beasts, the songs of the birds, and the rippling of 
many waters. Into this wild and dangerous land, boldly and fearlessly 
came Boone, Kenton, Harrod, Logan, McAfee, Whitley, and many 
other sturdy pioneers. Their muscles were strong as iron, their nerves 
elastic as Damascus blades, and their heads and hearts imbued with 
indomitable courage and noble resolution. Soon followed the struggle 
with the savage which lasted almost continuously for twenty years. 
The sound of the woodman's ax was the first note of civilization. 
Gradually, the darkness of the forest was broken with clearings made 
by stalwart hands. Inch by inch, foot by foot, they pressed onward 
and forward until they carved from the wilderness a State whose 
name and fame compare favorably with any the w^orld has ever known. 

The coming of women in 1775 was the crowning glory in that 
period, for with them came purification, love of home, and the eleva- 
tion of the men. Nothing is more wonderful than that they should 
willingly have turned from security and civilization and followed 
their husbands, fathers, and brothers into a wilderness, unexplored, 
forbidding, and dangerous ; and nothing could have impelled them save 



speeches of Willtam O. Bradley. 185 

the sublimest courage, combined with unwavering faith in the Great 
Ruler of the Universe. The most exalted place in all that trying 
period is held by the noble, intrepid mothers of the Commonwealth, 
who exhibited so much heroism and labored so faithfully and loyally 
to cheer the solitude and strengthen the hands of their loved ones. 

"Not as the Conqueror comes, 

They, the true-hearted, came; 
Not with the roll of stirring drums. 

And the trumpet that sings of fame ; 
Not as the flying come, 

In silence and in fear; 
They shook the depths of the forest gloom 

With their hymns of lofty cheer." 

To detail their deeds of daring and harrowing experiences cannot 
be attempted now, for days and even weeks would be consumed in 
their recital. While they are recorded in letters of blood, those letters 
are gilded with living light. 

To Daniel Boone who said of himself that he "had been ordained 
by God to settle the wilderness," we owe our profoundest debt of grati- 
tude ; for his bold and adventurous spirit, his lofty courage and splen- 
did leadership, inspired all others. Kentucky never did a more credit- 
able act than when she brought his remains and those of his devoted 
wife, from Missouri, interred them on yonder cliff, and placed above 
them a fitting monument in evidence of her gratitude. 

Nor should Kentucky alone be grateful to Daniel Boone. The 
whole nation owes him a debt of gratitude, for he inaugurated the 
great march of civilization over the mountains, which crossed the con- 
tinent and rested not until it halted on the shores of the Pacific. 

Notwithstanding George Rogers Clark's illustrious services, hiis 
remains now rest in Cave Hill Cemetery, unmarked by any monument, 
which is but little less than a disgrace to the State and Nation for 
which he accomplished so much. But, while this is true, his deeds 
are recorded in history, and in all coming time the name of George 
Rogers Clark shall shine with resplendent lustre. 

A French officer who met Clark at Yorktown, on his return to 
France, said to the King, "Sire, there are two Washingtons in Amer- 
ica." "What do you mean?" said the King. "I mean,' he replied, 
"that there is a Washington whom the world knows, and there is 
George Rogers Clark, the conqueror of the Northwest, as great a man 
as Washington in his field of action for the opportunities given him." 



l86 Speeches of William 0. Bradley. 

In those early days there came to Kentucky a number of earnest 
Christian ministers bearing the banner of the cross into the wilder- 
ness. To them we are indebted more than can be estimated. 

As early as 1787, the Kentucky Gazette, the first newspaper west 
of the Alleghenies, was published at Lexington ; and from that unpre- 
tentious beginning has grown the splendid press we now have, which 
in point of influence, learning, and genius, is second to that of no other 
State of the Union. 

In 1787 the Transylvania Seminary, the first college west of the 
Alleghenies, was chartered by Virginia and endowed with 20,000 
acres of land. Its first session was held at the home of David Rice, 
the first pioneer Presbyterian preacher at Danville, but was, the fol- 
lowing year, removed to Lexington, where it took the name of Transyl- 
vania University ; and through all the vicissitudes of peace and war for 
more than one hundred and twenty-five years, it has flourished, sending 
from its classic halls many of the distinguished men who have contrib- 
uted to the upbuilding of the State and Nation. 

In the history of American Commonwealths there can be found no 
people who struggled so actively, earnestly, and persistently and 
against so many adverse circumstances for Statehood, as the people 
of Kentucky ; and the people of no State have so frequently demon- 
strated their unswerving loyalty to the Union. Many times they were 
disappointed, but each disappointment added fresh impetus to their 
efforts. 

From 1784 to 1791, through numerous conventions, the effort was 
made for State independence; and during that period it is estimated 
that fifteen hundred settlers were slain by their savage foes. Beset 
with savages, unable to legislate for their own protection, far distant 
from Virginia, considering the means of travel then existing, with 
both Virginia and the general Government seemingly deaf to their 
entreaties, their condition was indeed both precarious and pathetic. 
Meanwhile, they were denied free navigation of the Mississippi, which 
was a severe blow. 

Thus situated, Spain offered free navigation of the Mississippi 
and all else that might be asked, while England offered to obtain such 
navigation for them and give them the same protection she was then 
giving to Canada ; each offer, however, being made on condition that 
Kentucky should secede from Virginia and become an independent 
republic. 

Though Spanish gold was sent to corrupt the people, it was ac- 
cepted only in one or two instances. But brave and loyal young Ken- 
tucky, apparently deserted as she was by her friends, turned a deaf 



speeches of William 0. Bradley. 187 

ear to the tempters, and bearing her burdens with Spartan fortitude, 
declared her loyalty to Virginia and the Union, and from that time to 
this, through all vicissitudes, however trying, she has continued loyal, 
and will so continue as long as the Union shall exist. 

At length her petition was granted, and in February, 1791, Con- 
gress passed an act to admit Kentucky as one of the States of the 
Union, to take effect June i, 1792. April 3, 1792, delegates met and 
framed the first Constitution, which became effective on the ist day of 
June thereafter, 

Vermont did not seek Statehood until long after Kentucky, but, 
being more favorably situated, with characteristic Yankee shrewdness, 
managed to first become a State. We justly contend that Statehood 
should equitably date from the time of application, and that in truth 
Kentucky was the first-born of the Union. 

It is not strange that from the sturdy Scotch-Irish ancestors of 
pioneer days, have sprung the strong, brave, intelligent, and patriotic 
people who now inhabit this State. 

There are no people in the world who have such marked indi- 
viduality, and who are so thoroughly devoted to their State. Recently 
an Indianian, Ohioan, and Kentuckian were conversing concerning 
their birthplaces. The Ohioan said if he had not been born in Ohio 
he would prefer to have been born in Indiana, and the Indianian, not 
to be surpassed in politeness, said that if he had not been born in In- 
diana, he would prefer to have been born in Ohio. Then, turning to 
the Kentuckian, they asked him his second choice for a birthplace ; 
whereupon, with characteristic Kentucky individuality, he replied, "If 
I had not been born in Kentucky I would be ashamed of myself." 

In 1792, the State Capital was located at Frankfort, and, despite 
many efforts to remove it to other localities, the determined citizens 
of this little city succeeded in retaining it. Among them Col. Edmund 
H. Taylor did the most effective work, and to him the Frankfort peo- 
ple owe their chief debt of gratitude. The controversy was finally put 
to rest by the last Constitution, which provides that the Capital should 
continue at Frankfort unless removed by a vote of two-thirds of each 
House of the first General Assembly that should convene after its 
adoption. At that session no removal was attempted, and now the 
matter is settled forever. 

Here the people of Kentucky shall assemble in coming time ; here 
they shall be inspired with patriotism as they stand beside the monu- 
ments of Boone and Johnson, and that majestic marble shaft which 
commemorates the deeds of the heroes of the Indian wars, the War 



i88 Speeches of William O. Bradley. 

of i8i2, and the Mexican war, of which Kentucky's immortal 
O'Hara wrote these surpassingly beautiful and enduring lines : 

"Yon marble minstrel's voiceless stone 

In deathless songs shall tell, 
When many a vanished year hath flown, 

The story how ye fell ; 
Nor wreck, nor change, nor winter's blight 

Nor time's remorseless doom, 
Shall dim one ray of holy light 

That gilds your glorious tomb. 



On fame's eternal camping ground 

Their silent tents are spread. 
And Glory guards, with solemn round, 

The bivouac of the dead." 

The rough draft of this greatest of all martial elegies was written 
by O'Hara in the Frankfort Cemetery as he sat beside the graves of 
his comrades who fell at Buena Vista. All of its verses appear on 
tablets in the National Cemetery at Arlington, while some of them 
may be found in other cemeteries of America, and even in military 
cemeteries of the Old World. 

After Kentucky became a State she was again involved in conflict 
with the Indians, and in 1811 her sons with alacrity went to the assist- 
ance of their comparatively defenseless brethren in the Northwest, 
and at Tippecanoe, under Gen. Harrison, gallantly and materially 
assisted in defeating and routing the Indians. Harrison said of them 
in one of his general orders : "It is rarely that a General has to com- 
plain of the excessive ardor of his men, yet such appears always to be 
the case whenever the Kentucky militia are engaged." 

During the Napoleonic wars England and France blockaded 
their ports. The English upon this shallow pretext for a period of 
twenty years, seized and confiscated many American ships with their 
cargoes, and impressed thousands of American sailors. Imbued with 
hatred for the British by reason of their cruel conduct, which he wit- 
nessed in Virginia in early childhood, intense love of country and just 
indignation by reason of these outrages, our own Henry Clay in the 
Senate of the United States, portrayed the wrongs inflicted on Amer- 
ica with such tremendous power and resistless eloquence that he pre- 



speeches of William 0. Bradley. 189 

cipitated the War of 1812. When war was declared, the President 
called for 100,000 militia — Kentucky's quota being 5,200 men. Within 
a few weeks 7,000 Kentuckians volunteered. Meanwhile, the English, 
with their Indian allies, continued to murder the settlers and lay waste 
their homes in the Northwest. 

After many conflicts of lesser importance, in 1813 Commodore 
Perry won his famous victory on Lake Erie, reported in that memor- 
able dispatch : "We have met the enemy and they are ours." We are 
justly proud of the fact that one-fourth of the force engaged in that 
battle was composed of Kentuckians. 

Shortly after this, Kentucky, led by Gov. Shelby, under Gen. Har- 
rison, participated in the battle of the Thames. In that decisive battle 
the regiment of mounted infantry, commanded by Col. Richard M. 
Johnson, won imperishable renown. With the cry of "Remember 
Raisin, and Revenge !" they charged into the ranks of the British and 
Indians, and with resistless fury drove them from the fields before 
the regular infantry could arrive to take part in the conflict. 

Kentuckians remained at peace until the breaking out of the Mex- 
ican war. During this period the State began a system of internal 
improvements. Many miles of turnpike were constructed, a railroad 
built from Lexington to Frankfort, and the locking and damming of 
various rivers commenced. Smith in his history — the best State his- 
tory ever published — estimates the amount expended for internal im- 
provements from 1830 to 1845, alone, at seven millions of dollars. 
And in 1838, a law was passed establishing a uniform system of com- 
mon schools. 

For more than thirty years after the battle of New Orleans, Ken- 
tucky was not called upon to engage in war. But, in 1845, Congress 
admitted Texas as a State of the Union against the protest of Mexico, 
which up to that time had declined to recognize her independence. 
Mexico thereupon declared war, and an army of invasion was sent by 
the United States, commanded by Gen. Zachary Taylor, a Ken- 
tuckian. Soon thereafter Kentucky was called upon for twenty-four 
hundred troops, when ten thousand militia promptly volunteered. 
Only three regiments and one company, however, were accepted. At 
Monterey, Saltillo, Cerro Gordo, Buena Vista, and other engagements, 
they bravely fought and fell. The brilliant victory in the bloody pass 
of Buena Vista was tinged with gloom by reason of the death of 
McKee, Clay, Willis, Vaughan — Kentucky's gifted and distinguished 
sons, — and the shouts of the victors were mingled with the cries of 
mourning. 



190 Speeches of William O. Bradley. 

Within less than two years the Mexicans were ingloriously de- 
feated, and Kentuckians carved with their trusty swords another 
famous chapter in the history of the State. 

Concerning the poHtical struggles between the court and country, 
Relief and Anti-Relief parties, the controversy which arose over the 
merits of the French Revolution and the Alien and Sedition laws, I 
will only say that they developed many statesmen, lawyers, and jurists, 
whose brilliancy, ability, and power reflected great credit upon, and 
contributed invaluable literature to, the Commonwealth. The history 
of the Democratic, Whig, and Republican parties may be summed up 
by reference to two principal political differences. 

Unfortunately for Kentucky, indeed, for the Nation, the institu- 
tion of slavery found lodgment in the United States at an early period. 
From its inception there was a dispute among the master minds of the 
Republic as to its justice. Notably among those who, in Kentucky, 
condemned it, was Henry Clay. His great mistake was subsequently 
made in condoning it ; but his motives cannot be questioned. He was 
impractical enough to believe that by compromise and concession war 
could be averted and the Union preserved. To this purpose he dedi- 
cated his life, and for years postponed the evil day. But the conflict 
could not be averted — it was inevitable. In the language of Lincoln, 
no nation could permanently exist half free and half slave. At this 
day, in the light of past events, there can be found no intelligent man 
who for a moment would think of restoring slavery, and all wonder 
why such a horrible institution ever existed in a free country. It may 
be said with equal truth that no intelligent man doubts the honesty of 
those who believed in the justice of that institution, and who, in tlie 
main, gave the most humane treatment to their unfortunate bondmen. 

From the inception of the Government there were two distinct 
schools of statesmen ; one, holding to the doctrine that the States were 
the source of all power, and might resist the enforcement of what they 
believed to be unjust national laws, and even rightfully withdraw from 
the Union at pleasure ; the other, that every citizen owed his first 
duty to the Nation, which was supreme, and that no State could right- 
fully withdraw from the Union. The many discussions of the illus- 
trious statesmen of America on this question are perhaps the ablest 
and most powerful that have occurred during our national existence. 
Naturally, the people of each section were deeply impressed with the 
views of their leaders. 

The threats to nullify and the declaration favoring State sov- 
ereignty, so frequently made by leading men, together with the belief 
in the South that the institution of slavery was in danger by reason of 



speeches of William O. Bradley. IQI 

the accession of the Republican party to power, led to secession and 
the firing on Fort Sumter. These acts plunged the country into the 
bloodiest war of all time. Brother contended against brother, and 
father against son, homes were desolated, and the flower of American 
manhood went down in death. The curtains of gloom hung heavily 
over every home, and the whole land was filled with broken and 
bleeding hearts. But I refrain from referring further to the horrors 
and immense sacrifices of blood and treasure during that frightful 
period. 

In this titanic conflict Kentuckians were divided, the large majority, 
true to the teachings of Henry Clay, standing by the Union, loyal as 
were their forefathers in pioneer days when they refused to listen 
to the siren songs, or accept the alluring offers, of Spain and England. 
That those who went with the South were honest in their convictions 
cannot be doubted, for the motives of men v/ho are willing to die for 
a principle cannot be questioned. Whatever may have been the dif- 
ference of opinion then, we are all thankful now that the conflict 
ended in the preservation of the Union and the abolition of slavery. 
And we are all proud of the heroic deeds of our brave sons who 
fought or fell on either side. They made a record in that, as in every 
other war in which they have been engaged, for sublime courage and 
unswerving devotion to the principles they espoused. 

To Kentucky fell the highest distinction of that memorable strug- 
gle, that of furnishing the Commanders-in-Chief of the two great 
contending armies — Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. The for- 
mer was the most wonderful and illustrious man in all the rolling 
years of time. Endowed with superhuman wisdom, yet simple as a 
child, gifted with the loftiest courage, yet tender as a woman, the 
saviour of the Union, the liberator of a race, he fell a martyr to 
human liberty, revered and honored by the people of the civilized 
world. The latter won imperishable fame on the fields of Mexico, 
left the impress of his remarkable mind upon the records of the 
mightiest deliberative body on earth, was endowed with magnificent 
courage and unshaken belief in the righteousness of his cause, and 
received the most enthusiastic plaudits of his followers, who sorrow- 
fully furled their tattered and battle-stained banner forever — the 
heroes of a "Lost Cause." 

These two mighty Kentuckians, descendants of the pioneers, oc- 
cupied the nation's stage for four years, while the people of the whole 
world witnessed the most thrilling drama of time. 

On the monument erected by Kentucky on the bloody field of 
Chickamauga, where her sons contended with each other in much 



192 speeches of William 0. Bradley. 

larger numbers than on any other field, cast in enduring bronze is this 
inscription : 

"As we are united in life, and they united in 
death, let one monument perpetuate their deeds, and 
one people, forgetful of all asperities, forever hold 
in grateful remembrance all the glories of that 
terrible conflict which made all men free and pre- 
served every star on the Nation's flag." 

The writing of that inscription was the proudest act of my life, 
and truly expresses the sentiment of every patriotic Kentuckian. 

It is believed that this was the first monument erected since the 
dawn of creation whereon the deeds of victor and vanquished were 
alike extolled. 

Of the Spanish-American War it may be said that Spain was 
defeated before Kentuckians could take active part ; but, quick as was 
her defeat, it would have been accelerated had they earlier reached 
the front. In that war, as in all others, our sons responded with 
alacrity to the nation's call. The gray was merged into the blue and 
former foemen marched as brothers beneath the folds of the old flag, 
each struggling for the post of honor. 

In the call for volunteers the President gave the preference to the 
three State guard regiments, which patriotically volunteered in a body. 
Later, other volunteers being required, there came from the moun- 
tains of Kentucky another regiment of infantry and two companies 
of cavalry, composed of equally patriotic men. Twenty regiments 
could have been readily placed in the field had their services been 
required. 

Much as Kentucky suffered during the Civil War, it was a bless- 
ing in disguise, for it settled forever the supremacy of the nation and 
removed the incubus of slavery which for so many years materially 
retarded progress. 

The Spanish-American war was a like blessing, for it demon- 
strated beyond all question that the bitterness of the past had been 
buried forever, and Kentuckians were once more keeping step to 
the music of the Union. 

Time forbids that I should call the long roll of Kentucky's illus- 
trious sons. Her statesmen, soldiers, orators, physicians, inventors, 
poets, sculptors, judges, preachers, lawyers, and politicians, have been 
the equals of all, and in some instances the superiors of, those of any 
other State of the Union. She has contributed seven Judges to the 
Supreme bench ; ninety Ambassadors, foreign Ministers and Consuls ; 



speeches of William O. Bradley. 193 

twenty distinguished commanders to the Army of the United States, 
and Admirals, Commodores and Vice-Admirals to the Navy ; during 
the War of the Rebellion, nearly sixty famous generals — about equally 
divided between the contending armies ; and, aside from Governors . 
and Congressmen representing the State, one hundred of her sons as 
Governors and Congressmen in other States of the Union. Six Ken- 
tuckians have served as Vice-President, two as President, and one as 
President of the Confederate States. 

In 1790 our population was only seventy-three thousand, six hun- 
dred and seventy-seven ; now, it is two million, five hundred thousand. 
Then, our wealth was so insignificant that we have no estimate of its 
amount ; now, the taxable wealth is eight hundred and twenty-two 
millions of dollars. 

During this period we have built cities, towns, turnpikes, bridges, 
railroads, colleges, churches, and school houses ; improved rivers, de- 
veloped mines, felled forests, increased and improved agriculture in 
all of its branches, erected telegraph and telephone lines, and advanced 
materially in all the avenues of life and trade. 

But, my countrymen, this dedication would be a meaningless 
ceremony, a shadowy nothing, should we fail in the exultation of the 
moment, to appreciate our shortcomings and acknowledge our faults. 

Material as has been the State's progress, it has not been what it 
should have been. For years before the Civil War she was cursed 
by slavery which enervated the people, and for years after crippled by 
ill-will and party prejudice growing out of it. 

She has not the wealth, enterprise, energy, or development of 
younger States not blessed with her great natural advantages. 

Her colleges have kept reasonable pace with those of many of 
the States, and while, during the last quarter of a century, there has 
been material improvement in common school education, the system 
is by no means creditable to the State. However, the recent quicken- 
ing among the people, due to the efforts of the late Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, gives brilliant promise of future advancement. 

There have been periods of lawlessness and violence that have 
seriously prejudiced us at home and abroad. It is cause for congratu- 
lation, however, that these violations of law have not been contin- 
uous, and that the State is now substantially free from their perpe- 
tration. But, considering these faults, serious as they are, they pale 
into insignificance in the light of glories achieved by the Common- 
wealth. 

It would, indeed, be difficult to estimate the wealth and power of 
Kentucky had these unfavorable conditions never existed. 



194 Speeches of William O. Bradley. 

On this day, standing near the shadows of the past, in the bright 
light of the present, and facing the substantial promise of the future, 
we should dedicate, not this Capitol alone, but ourselves, to the service 
of the State; and when we return to our homes with renewed faith 
and zeal, we should encourage others to work ceaselessly for the moral 
and commercial upbuilding of the Commonwealth, so that the influence 
of this gathering may extend, as the constantly enlarging circle re- 
sulting from the casting of a stone into the waters, to every portion of 
Kentucky. 

We need more and better public roads, more telegraph and tele- 
phone lines, more improved waterways, more railroads, greater devel- 
opment of forest and mines. If we but do our duty, every material 
interest will advance, and, rich as are other portions of the State, the 
mountain counties, derided in the past, will become the richest section 
of the State. 

While these commercial interests are of vast importance, they by 
no means constitute the dominant factors in our well-being. 

First, of all, the people should be taught the highest respect for 
the enforcement of law and order; otherwise, all may become chaotic 
and worthless. The murderer, the mob, and all organized bands of 
lawless men must be convinced that this is not a healthy locality for 
their action. When the time comes that every citizen, however humble, 
is fully protected in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, he 
will love his State because of such protection ; and until that time we 
cannot boast of the "Old Kentucky Home." 

We should labor effectively and earnestly, and contribute liberally, 
to the education of the children of the State, so that when they grow 
into manhood and womanhood, they shall love the State on account of 
what it has done for them. Kentucky can never become truly great 
until every child, white and black, within her borders, may drink 
freely at the public fountain of knowledge. Nor can she, by any other 
means, more effectively succeed in eliminating crime and disorder. 
Education is not only the foundation of moral, physical, and intellec- 
tual improvement, but it is the open sesame to success in every avenue 
of life. Whenever it becomes manifest that Kentucky protects her 
citizens and affords liberal advantages for education, the honest, intel- 
ligent, and sturdy immigrant, instead of avoiding us, as has largely 
been his custom in the past, will gladly come among us, and foreign 
capital will flow in a golden stream over the Commonwealth. 

Mr. Gladstone said that the first duty of a State is to care for the 
health of its people. While not agreeing fully with him, it is clear 



speeches of WUUani O. Bradley. 195 

that such is one among its most important duties. Liberal appropria- 
tions should be made from the Treasury to destroy and prevent the 
contraction and spread of contagious diseases by applying proper 
remedies, taking necessary precautions, and removing the causes. And, 
for the purpose of accomplishing this good work, there should be a 
special course taught in every school to enlighten the masses. 

There are some who will complain of expenditures to enforce the 
law, to educate the children, and to protect the public health. Such 
contention i^s not only disgusting parsimony, but little less than a 
crime against humanity. They argue simply against themselves, even 
financially considered, for every dollar thus expended will be returned 
a thousand-fold. 

We should not forget that while every citizen has a right to the 
fullest and freest expression and exercise of his political views, there 
are matters of much greater moment that should call into energetic 
action our liveliest energies. The first and most important civic duty 
is, to love the Union ; the next, to love the State. Then, in the language 
of the Holy Writ, we should "love one another." We sprang from 
the same common ancestors ; each has the same interest in the Nation 
and State, and each is struggling, or should be, to accomplish the 
greatest good for the whole State. Our hearts, our hopes, our aspira- 
tions, are the same. Hence, we should, at all times, cultivate fraternal 
love. 

We should appreciate that we are living in the world's greatest 
era. There are mighty forces of good and evil confronting each other. 
Wonderful improvements and inventions are revolutionizing the world, 
overcoming distance, and almost defying space. The earth, the sea, 
and the air, are fearlessly and successfully invaded and utilized by 
man. National differences and controversies threaten to involve the 
whole world. "Com.mercial supremacy" is the slogan of the nations ; 
and here and there are specters that may soon become substantial and 
dangerous realities. Let Kentuckians seriously think and profoundly 
study all these problems, so that whatever conditions arise they shall 
be ready and able, as their fathers were, to take an active, successful, 
and glorious part. 

Human imagination cannot conceive, much less can pen portray, 
the splendid future of Kentucky. And when she has reached the zenith 
of her glory, when she shall blossom in the fullness of her beauty, and 
another Capitol, grander and more capacious than this, shall be erected, 
may we not indulge the hope that something we have said or done 
will justly call forth a word of commendation? If such word be 
spoken, we shall not have lived in vain. 



196 speeches of WilUam O. Bradley. 

Regretfully we turn from this spot, because each appreciates the 
fact that never again shall he feel the inspiration of national and State 
love that this occasion inspires, for the probability is that even the 
youngest will not live to witness another dedication. In comparatively 
a few years you shall rest in the soil you love so well. May the sum- 
mer's sun shine brightly, and the winter's snows fall lightly as they 
deftly weave their white mantle above you. May the tempests abate 
their fury as they sweep over you. May the springtime entwine its most 
beautiful garlands above you ; and may each of you, reunited with your 
loved ones, in that realm beyond the stars where summer's heat and 
winter's cold are unknown, where the grass never withers and the 
flowers never fade, abide in His presence forever. 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Biographical Sketch, I to XXIII. 

Stories, i to i6i. 

Speeches, 163 to 196. 



Alphabetical Index of Stories. 



A 

A Backwoods Lawyer 32 

A Beer Expert 153 

A Big Turnip 131 

A Cholera Doctor 159 

A Common Carrier 104 

A Complete Rejoinder 90 

A Consistent Record 146 

A Cross-Eyed Bird 82 

A Curt Request 125 

A Dangerous Weapon 77 

A Dog Expert 116 

A Fair Convention 61 

A Fair Trial 67 

A Famous Dispatch 82 

A Farmer's Advice to His Sons . . . 158 

A Fatal Strain 58 

A Fine Legal Distinction 124 

A Frank Sinner 114 

A Generous Invitation 159 

A Gentleman's Spree 91 

A Good Arithmeticker 148 

A Grateful Governor 38 

A Great Hunter 131 

A Happy Answer 141 

A Heartfelt Wish 130 

A Hesitating Aide 150 

A Joke on Sound Money 49 

A Lucid Interval 120 

A Man of Contract 126 

A Meek Attorney 83 

A Par of Co-in-ci-dences 113 

A Paralyzing Answer 96 

A Pertinent and Personal Inquiry . . 1 
A Powerful Sermon on a Peculiar Text 64 

A Priceless Drink 76 

A Reasonable Doubt 35 

A Repeater Ill 

A Reputation for Impartiality ... 2 
A Slight Change for the Better . . .153 

A Spirited Controversy 103 

A Successful Defense 86 

A Successful Experiment 146 

A Sufficient Reminder 80 

A Swift Pace 115 

"A Tammed Tight Squeeze" .... 102 

A Tory Law Book 106 

A Vi-gorous Campaign 140 

Advancing Backward 158 

Advantages of "Larnin" 4 

Afraid He Would Release the Security 60 
Always Seeing Small Things ... 57 

All-Sufficient Motion 71 

An Affectionate Candidate .... 1 



An Amusing Retort 
An Easy-Going Neighborhood 
An Extravagant Compliment 
An Immaterial Mistake 
An Intense Silence .... 
An "Interruptious" Old Daddy 
An Injured Debtor .... 
An Inquiring Female . 
An Old Acquaintance . 
An Old Time Sermon . 
An Unfortunate Prompter 
"And McQuerter Drank His" . 
Anecdotes Are Public Property 
Another Letter in the Alphabet 
Another Way of Putting It . 
Answering an Ugly Question 
Anticipated "Onpleasantness" 
Anxious for a Reputation . 
Appeal for Silence .... 



B 



36 

130 
93 

54 

52 

83 

94 

40 

97 

56 

66 

135 

115 

152 

124 

99 

138 

97 

40 



55 



Baptism by Force 

Beaten at His Own Game 102 

"Better Writ a Letter" 137 

Blind Watts and the Lost Papers . . 59 

Born to be Hanged 45 

Bugology 108 

C 

Capturing a Young Eagle 132 

Carpet-Baggers 8 

Charge to a Grand Jury 156 

Charged With Dynamite 92 

Circumstances Alter Cases .... 140 

Climax Unexpectedly Destroyed . . . 105 

Colonel Dunlap 43 

Contempt 137 

Contempt Barred by Limitation . . . 112 

Contempt for the Poor 19 

Come Out the Same Hole He Went In . 115 

Could Not Ride It 142 

Countenance and Character .... 128 

Courtroom Repartee 85 

Crippled Gladiator 68 

"Cuss" the Court 155 

D 

Danger Happily Averted .... 21 
Dead for Good 127 

77 

101 

7 

72 

97 



Death Preferred to Hearing a Speech 
Declined to Anticipate Providence . 
Declined To Be Angels .... 
Delicate Way of Putting It . . . 
Determined to Apologize .... 



Disconnected Sentences 104 In the Same Fix 



Doctor Breckinridge's Bet 138 

Draw Poker School 116 

Dread of Lawyers 80 

Dreamed He Was a Monkey . . . .121 
Drivin' 'Em All Before Him .... 65 



Incorrigible Debtor 137 

Indecent Exposure Contributory Negli- 
gence 78 

Ingenious Library 11 

Instruction and Entertainment ... 23 



Dulajiey and the Hound 121 It Might Have Been "Worse 



63 



E 

Embaxrassing Situation 118 

Enthusiastic Democrats 37 

Equal Losers 27 

Equally Ashamed 7 

EquiUly Intelligent 120 

Every Man Entitled to Counsel ... 38 

Exhorbitant Doctor Fees .... 74 



First Effort of Miles Scroggins ... 70 

For O'Connor and the Union ... 89 

Forgetting a Scriptural Injunction . . 55 

Frank But Ingenious Argument . . 34 

FYom Solemnity to Hilarity .... 126 

FundamentaJ Absorption 41 

G 

Garrard County Celebrities .... 7 

General Character 149 

General Landrum 144 

General Whittaker 21 

"Giggle Some On My Side" .... 125 
"Go Through Hell A-Poppin" . . .138 

"Good-Bye, World, and Howdy, Hell" . 53 

Good Evidence 120 

Good Logic 5 

Grading Lawyer's Fees 117 



H 

Had to Climb the Tree 114 

Hard on the Court 5 

Hard to Satisfy SO 

Have You Got Airy Dollar . . . .144 

He Did Not Like 'Em 150 

He Might Have Been Guilty . . . .158 

Hearty Approval 160 

Henry Clay's Advice 119 

His Two Worst Enemies 82 

His Wit Saved Him 123 

, . 96 
. . 27 



Holding His Own 

How a Silk Hat Saved a Life . . 
How Governor Buckner Lost a Vote 
How to Put Ears on a Mule . 
Hurrah for H — 1 



I Acknowledge the Service . 

"I'm a Settin" 

"I'm Bound to Talk About Him' 
"I'm Surprised of It" . . . . 
"I Beg Your Pardon" 

"I Sock Him" 

Impartial Magistrate . . . . 
In a Bad Fix 



86 



36 
50 
73 
43 
17 
3 
98 
122 



Jake Bronston and the Bull .... 154 

Judas and Peter Mixed 85 

Judge Craddock 36 

Judge Guffy 113 

Judge Pearl 23 

Just Once 155 

K 

Kivered Too Much Territory .... 113 
Knew Less About More Things ... 58 
Knew What He Needed 20 



Lack of Discrimination 118 

"Larned" Him Too Much .... 38 

Laying Bones Together 126 

"Let Me, Isaac, Out" 129 

Liberty Yocum 68 

Little Change 157 

Longer Pocket or Shorter Pistol . . 62 

Lost One Half His Memory .... 4 

Lusk and Marshall 150 

Lynam's Nose 109 



M 

Made a Mistake 128 

105 
53 

152 

17 

109 



Major Bradley 

Making Others Contented 
Marshall, Breckinridge, and Clay 
Meanest Clients on Earth 
More Talk About Parish Teater 
More Time Than Necessary . 
"Most Onconvenientest Persishun" 
Mullins' Famous Speech . 
Mullins' Grace 



142 

71 

154 



N 



Necessity for Ocular Demonstration . 4 

No Change of Opinion 6 

No Girl to Play on It 141 

No Law Against It 93 

No Pride of Opinion 3 

No Rights 125 

No Use for the Philippines .... 144 

Not Responsible 61 

Novel Experiment 133 

Novel Judgment 3 

Novel Method of Gauging Whiskey . 39 

Novel Plea of Self Defense .... 31 



"Old Necessity" 6 

Only One at a Time 122 

Opposed to Accident Insurance ... 41 



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Walking With His Head 69 

Walton and the Wasp 145 

Want of Information 106 

Wanted His Expenses 58 

Waste of Lightning 16 

Welch and the Preacher 60 

Will Go Straight Back 90 

Without Legal Knowledge . . . .149 



Wonderful Exaggerator 12 

Working a Broken Jaw 130 

Worse Things Than a Convict ... 57 

Would Keep Up With the Procession . 103 
Why He Married Three Sisters . . .135 

Y 

"You Don't Know Me" 124 

You're No Democrat €8 



SPEECHES OF WM. O. BRADLEY. 



Seconding Nomination of General Grant, 163-165. 

Dedicating Kentucky Building at World's Fair, 165-170. 

Extract From Speech Replying to General Hardin, 170-171. 

At Christening of Battleship Kentucky, 171-173. 

Dedicating Kentucky Monument at Chickamauga Park, 173-177. 

Memorial Day Address at Arlington, 177-183. 

Dedicating New State Capitol at Frankfort, 183-196. 



Alphabetical List of Names Referred to in Stories. 



A 

Ambrose, Brother 142 

Anderson, Sim 1 

B 

Baker, Bill Fritz 156 

Ballard, Judge Bland 125 

Ballinger, 126 

Baxter, Judge 22 

B , John 34 

B .Judge 121,122 

Beatty, Rev. Ormond 146 

Beck, Senator James B 10, 76 

Belknap, Morris 114 

Bell, Hon. Joshua F 105,160 

Bell, Tom 80 

Best, George 99 

Blackburn, Senator J. C. . . . 75, 76, 77 

Bobbitt, Mr 59, 61, 85 

Boone, Captain Sam 141 

Boyd, Judge Robert . . . .24, 92, 93 

Bradley, Major Robert M 

. . . 83, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 142, 155 
Bramblette, Gov. Thomas . . .49, 75, 83 
Breckinridge, General John C. . . 15, 150 
Breckinridge, Rev. Robert J. . . .138,152 
Breckinridge, Col. W. C. P. . . 68, 69, 95 

Bridges, Judge 1 

Britton, Jimmy 53 

Bronston, Hon. Chas 57, 69 

Bronston, Jake 154 

Bronston, Rev. Thomas 154 

Browder, Wilbur F 112 

Brown, John 24 

Buckner, Judge Ben 128 

Buckner, General Simon Bolivar . . 8 

Burchard, Rev. Doctor 7 

Burdette, Ben M. 8 

Burdette, Sam M 24, 137 

Burnside, Col. J. A. 94 

Burton, Allan A S 

C 

Camden, Uncle Ike 129 

Canter, John 43,143 

Carpenter, 101 

Carter, Judge 24 

Carter, "Lawyer" 144 

C , Colonel 9 

Centre College 146 

Chrisman, Hon. Jim 100 

Clark, Col. Anson 139 

Claunch, M 161 

Clay, Henry 118, 119, 152 

Clayton, Mary 47 

Cogar, Captain Tom 63 

Collier, General D. R 94, 158 

Comly, "Bill" 74 

Conn, Alex 94 

Conn, Andrew 97, 98, 99 

Cook, Bob 24 

Cook, "Brother" 31, 154 

Cook, Ed 86 



Craddock, Judge George M. . . . 36, 37 

Crawford, Jack 70 

Creekmore, Uncle Rashe 28 

Crockett, Davy US 

Crowe, "Brother" 62 

Cundiff, John 127 

D 

Dataney, Spencer G 26, 27, 28, 30 

Davie, George M 6 

D , Colonel 6 

Dembitz, D. N 6 

Denny, Judge George 103,119 

Dillon, Russell 5 

Dillon, Captain W. R 5 

Dinwiddie, James 153 

Dobbs, Jim 114 

Doty, James H 

Doty, John 11, 12 

Drane, Judge 21 

Dudley, Col. Ambrose 97 

Dulaney, Judge "William 121 

Dunlap, Col. George W. . . 19, 43, 45, 143 

Dunnegan, Pat 142 

Durham, Hon. Milton J., 88, 89, 90, 102, 118 

Duvall, Judge 155 

Dye, Josh 31 

E 

Elkin, 126 

Elliott, John M 19, 20 

Eno, Rufus 46 

Evans, Judge Walter 104,140 

Ewell, Richard L 140 

F 

Field, Judge Emmett 103 

Field, 152 

Finley, Judge Frank 130 

Fish, Mrs 133 

Franks, Elder 148 

Fox, Billy 144 

Fox, Judge F. T, . . . 1, 2, 3, 4, 82, 146 

Fox, McKee 82 

Fry, General 12 

O 

Gallaher, Bob 104 

Garrard, Colonel 61 

Goebel, Senator Wm 7 

Goodloe, Judge W. C 73 

Gordon, Judge 34 

Grant, Major Alex 150 

Graybeal, Donald 135 

Guffy, Judge B. L. D 113,114 

H 

Haley, Dennis 52 

Hallam, Theodore 90 

Hardin, Ben Lee 83, 104 

Hardin, Hon. Charles 83 

Hardin, Judge -.37 

Harding, Hon. Aaron 146 



Hardwick, "Old Ben" 138 

Harlan, Justice John M 75, 145 

Harney, John 100 

Haselden, Sherman 67 

Henderson, 98 

Hendricks, Col. John K 38 

Herndon, Albert 154 

Herndon, Hon. William 103 

Hewitt, Mr 151 

Higginbotham, Charles L 32 

Hightower, 125 

Hill, Hon. R. D 105 

Hill, Colonel Thomas P 85, 86 

Hill, Mr 89 

Hite, Sam 126 

Hoarhammer, George 109 

Hocker, Jess 60 

Hodge, Sonny 93 

Holcomb, Steve 98 

Holt, Judge 142 

Hoskins, Colonel 160 

Houston, Mr. 120 

Howell, Andrew J 50 

Hubble, Frank 125 

Hudson, Bill 34 

Huffman, Mr. 121 

Hurst, Elijah 93 

J 

Jacobs, Hon. R. P 146 

Jain, Nancie 42 

James, Attorney General 83 

James, Senator Ollie M 57 

Johnson, Madison C 155 

•Tones, David 50 

Jones, John 38 

Jones, Jonathan 120 

Jones, "Sugar" 37 

Jones, Tom 57 

Jones, Hon. Thomas L Ill 

K 

Kash, Hon. Sam 134 

Kidd, "Uncle Johnny" 74 

Kincaid, John 1 

Kirk, Judge Andrew 96 

Knapp, Judge 113 

Knott, Hon. J. Proctor 41, 111 

Kyle, John G 68,104 

L 

Lascher, Sig 153 

Landrum, Walker 25 

Landrum, Major W. J 144,145 

Langley, John W 5 

Lattin, Bill 59 

Leavell, Garland 149 

Lee, Phil 149 

Letcher, Gov. Robert P 15, 109 

Lindsey, Judge Thomas 36 

Lindsey, Senator William 52 

Lucas, 80 

Lusk, R. D 106,125 

Lusk, Samuel 63,150 

Lusk. W. J 118 

Lyman, Charles 109 



Mc 

McAfee, Captain John J 104 

McClure, Judge 24 

McCreery, Senator Thomas C. ... 37 

McCullough, Col. John W 159 

McKee, Dr. Alex 154 

McKee, Judge George R 71, 106 

McNamara, Judge 38 

McRoberts, Dick 149 

McQueerter, Mr 135 

M 

Marshall, Ed 77 

Marshall, Hon. Humphrey .... 136 
Marshall, Hon. Tom . . 77, 150, 151, 152 

Mason, James 7, 8, 126 

Mason, "Keg" 120 

Matheny, Felix 68 

M , Judge 39 

Merrill, Squire Azariah 137 

Mickey, Ben 23 

Miller, Justice 74, 148 

Miller, J. W 146 

Moore, Wm. B 83, 84 

Morrow, Hon. Edwin P. , . . .156,157 
Morrow, Judge Thomas Z. . 38, 40, 41, 137 

Morris, Jim 80 

Muggins, "Aunt Polly" 28 

Mullins, Dr 154 

Mullins, "Legislator" 71 

Nation, Mrs. Carrie 7 

Nave, Joe P 50 

Noel, Henry T 82 

Nuttall, Judge 50 

O 

O'Doherty, Matt 104 

Ousen, Jake 118 

Owen, Senator 160 

Owens, Ashley 39 

Owens, Martin 106 

Owsley, Judge Mike L. 39, 53, 70, 78, 85, 107 

P 

Patterson, Squire James 119 

Patton, Judge 70 

Paynter, Senator 160 

P , Brother 54 

Pearl, Judge 23, 24, 25, 26, 109 

Peters, Chief Justice 160 

Philpot, Granville 137 

Phllpot, Mrs. Sarah 138 

Pinkston, Wyatt 81 

Pitman, Berry 123 

Porch, Squire Joe 116 

Powell, Eder 53 

Prater, Rev 56 

Prentice, George D 100 

Pryor, Judge 37 

B 

Randall, Judge 62 

Randolph, Reverend 147 

Ray, Squire Dan 106 



Ray, Joe 107 

Redd, Charles 67 

Rice, Milton L 117,118 

Rigney, Major 141 

Robertson, Judge George 71 

Robinson, Hon. James F 125 

Robinson, Richard M 3 

Rodman, General 127 

S 

Sadler, 97 

Sandifer, Nicholas 124 

Saufley, Judge M. C 32 

Sawyer, Major Thomas W 53 

S , Brother 54 

Scott, Grip 153 

Scott, Dr. W. F 161 

Schooler, Miles 158 

Schooler, Squire 71 

Scroggins, Miles 70 

Searcy, "Old Man" 65 

Simrall, Hon. Charles 158 

Skimmerhorn, John 102 

Skyes, Bill 93 

Slaughter, Col. W. H 46 

Sloan, Richard 106 

Smith, Brother 55 

Smith, John ("Raccoon") . . . . 54, 55 

Smith, Richard 90 

Sparks, James 93 

Spriggs, 101 

Sternberg, Dr 159 

Stewart, Ike 24 

Suddath, Cook 135 

Sullivan, Silas 157 

Sv/ope, Colonel 12 

T 

Tiylor, Senator "Bob" 114 

T , Tom 150 

Teater, Parish 109 

Thompson, I-ieut.-Gov. John B., 72, 104, 158 

Thompson, Captain Phil 80 

Thompson, "Little Phil" . . . .135,140 

Thompson, Hon. Philip B 72, 75 

Thompson, 63 

Thome, Lieut.-Govemor . . .16, 17, 18 

Tillett, Oscar 91, 92 

Todd, Clinton ("Danger") 142 

Toney, Judge 78 



Torrell, John Peter 79 

Tribble, Durrett 138 

Turner, Major 87, 88, 155 

Turner, Tom 80 

Turnipseed, Rev. Peter 64 

V 

Van "Winkle, John 82 

V , Judge 39 

W 

Wainscott, Mr 148 

"Walton, Sam 145 

"Ward, Col. Henry 95, 96 

"Warren, Hon. Dick 103 

Warren, 42 

"Watterson, Hon. Henry . . . .100,135 

"Watts, Blind 59 

"W , Judge 35 

"Welch, Col. Wm. G 58, 59, 60, 149 

"Wheat, Judge 32 

"Whitaker, Isaiah 123 

Whittaker, General Walter C. . 21, 22, 23 

Wickersham, Bluford 72 

Wickliffe, Judge 104 

Wilkins, Williford 73 

Williams, Ashly 88 

Williams, Col. Sherod 84 

Williams, Y. H 112 

Willis, Captain 126 

Willson, Governor A. E 114 

Wintersmith, Col. Dick 97 

Wise, Governor 30 

Wolford, General Frank . . .12, 14, 15 

Wolverton, "Brother" 128 

Wood, Colonel James 49 

Wood, Senator 6 

Woodcock, Nathan 93 

Woods, Billy 128 

Woolley, Hon. Robert W 108 

T 

Yerkes, Hon. John W 146 

Yocum, Liberty 68 

Yost, Judge William 45, 49 

Z 

Zachary, Charlie 116 

Zollicoffer, General 160 



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